Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-03-23
CHAPTER XIV.
JOLA'S STORY.

LULA . SlOn1.
At the moment of her first entering
the room Lola had not seen the police
inspector or Mr.. Clifford, but when she
noticed them and saw that the former
wore police uniform she was startled.
"Who are these gentlemen?" she
asked of Sir Jaffray.
But he was too much moved by her
coming to be able to answer.
Inspector Borderham is charged
with the inquiry into the death of
Pierre Turrian, and I am here looking
into things for the family. I am Me-
Clifford, q private inquiry agent OF
Southampton row, London, and we'll
known" He could not resist the little
self advertisement even at such mo-
ment
81 cannot speak before these gentle
men, Jaffray," said Lola. "What l
have to say can be said to you-and to
Beryl, for she already knows every.
thing, or nearly everything"
At this the police inspector pricked
up his ears and locked across sharply
at Beryl, who noticed the action and
the look.
"Then we'd better 60, inspector, "
said Mr.. Clifford, seeing the difficulty
and trying to get over it with rush.
But Inspector Borderham did not
move.
II really think it would be better for
me to stay. Sir Jaffray," he said little
nervously, afraid to offend the baronet
and yet very unwilling to go.
~ see no necessity whatever for your
presence, returned the barouet shortly
"You must see that this matter has
now taken a quite unexpected turn and
that you can do nothing. You can 60. "
"You will accept the responsibility"
What responsibility is that?' ex'
claimed Lola excitedly. "Do you mean
for my presence, sir? tell you have
come back for the express purpose of
facing anything that any one may dare
to whisper against me, that | should
not have come back had it not been for
the fact of Pierre Turrian's death, and
that I shall remain n''-she was going to
say lat the manor house" but checked
herself and Observation-Disclosures you
shall know perfectly well where to find
me whenever you wish. But now
have something to say to my-to Sir
Jaffray, which concerns no one but
himself, and for the moment we must
be left together.
A fash of rapid thought convinced
the inspector that he could not possibly
do any harm by doing what was asked,
as he could easily shadow her ladyship
should she attempt to get away again.
II will do what you wish, he said,
and with bow he left the room with
Mr.. Clifford.
AS soon as the three were alone there
was long silence. The warmth with
which Lola had spoken to the inspector
died out, the pallor which all had no.
ticed on her first entry increased, and
she leaned back on the sofa on which
she sat as though weak and striving tc
collect her strength for great effort
Sir Jaffray sat apart, torn BY infinite.
ly painful emotions Her first repulse
of him had reused a multitude of dis.
turbing thoughts in which his fears OIL
account Of her madness, his doubts
about the part she had played in the
death of Pierre Turrian and his love-
quickened into hot passion by the sight
of her, were all mingled with new
and worst fear that her action was tht
result of a resolve not to let him e
near her until she had confessCd-wha
he knew not. He longed to rush ant
take her in his arms and yet was helc
back in conflict of doubts and fears
Beryl sat quietly waiting for Lola t.
tell in her own way the story of which
she knew the main features
Lola broke the silence at length with
a long, deep sigh. Then she said:
"Ah, Jaffray, ! have been mad!
The words so fitted themselves s-tt