The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-20
PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
RY WILLIAM - QUEUX,
1891. BY WILLIAM LIE oUEUX.
CIiaper V.

CAPTAIN BROOAEES' > ObJGC11ON.
AS everyone expected, the Coroner's
jury after hearing Gerthos evidence at
the adjourned Inquest returned the usual
verdict Of "Milful murder against some
person or persons unknown" 1t was the
only conclusion possible in such case,
the mystery being left for the poles to
solve Later that afternoon Inspector
Swayne was closeted with George ana
MIR, i arrison at Stratteld Court, and
after an hours consultation regarding the
curious letter found in Nelly's pocket, the
detective left for Lo ndon.
While that conversation was taxing
Mace. I,iane and her father, having re-
turned from the inquest, were sitting TO-
gether in the little dining-roon. BrooKer
had cast off his shiny frock-coat with a
sigh of genuine relief, assumed his old
cent of the past, while his daughter nav
ing removed her gloves and veil, sat I'D
the armchair by the fireplace still in her
large black hat that gave a picturesque
setting to her face. The windows were
open, the blinds down, and the room, cooi
In the half light, was nlied WIN tne sMeeo
perfume of the wealth OF old-world flowers
outside.
.Our ill.luck seems to follow us, even
now - he observed, thrusting his hands
deep into his empty pockets and iazlly
stretching out his legs. THAT lnqulsltlYe
old chap the Coroner, was within an ace
of rakiIg up all the past. was afraid
they intended to adjourn again"
IWhy atraidl" asked Lame in sur,
,,riae isYou surely do not fear anythlngr
"Weu. no, not exactly" her father
answered, with quick glance at her
"But some facts might have been then
elioited which are best kept secret
Liane looked at the Captain, long ana
steadily, with eyes full Of sadness, then
said, earnestly:
WHAT caused you to suspect zsrtho,
fatherf"
him."
.'Do not deny the truth" she answered
in a tone Of mild reproach. 81 know that
before you went to London you sent him
a message, which, had he been guilty,
would have allowed him to escape. "
stBut he was entirely unaware of the
tragedy, - her father answered. rolling a
ojgsratte with infinite care. ''Zertho
could have had no object in numbering
NeiIT. BESIDES. it had already been
moved by the stationmaster that he had
left by the train she saw him enter. -
ssThep why did you take the trouble to
go to London2" she inquired
INV motive was secret one, he re-
pliei. -o,, ,,o
incurred in genuine surprise. :,
Ives even you must not know, Lame :"
oa answered women are apt to grow
confidential towards their lovers. and II
the secret were onca out, then my plans
would be thwarted."
"You suspect someone?" she asked in a
low. harsh voice.
"WeiI.0 he answered. regarding his IN
lit cigarette intently, 81 will not say that
| actually suspect someone but have
theory. strange though it may be. which
| believe will turn out to be the correct
one.''
again exchanged quick glances. she IAN
cied she saw suspicion in his eyes.
ssMay l not assist your" she asked.
"You know that in the past I've many
times brought you luck at the tables.
mo- he said, shaking his head. HIn
this l must act entirely alone George
Stratfield no doubt occupies all your
thoughts - She thought she detected a
touch of sarcasm in his tone
The girl blushed deeply, but did not
answer. Her father, inveterate smoker
that he was, lit his cigarette and sat silent
and self<absorbed for long time. He
was thinking of the bright, happy girl
who cold and dead in her tiny room up
stairs, was the victim or FOUL, terrlpie,
and mysterious crime.
Chow long have you known this manf'
the Captain inquired at last.
"Two month";.
Sand has he proposed to you?''
"Be has," she faltered, blushlng more
deeply.
He drew long BREATH rose slowly, and
pulling aside the white blind, looked out
as if in search of something. In truth,
lie was hesitating whether he should
sneak to her at once, or wait fJr some
other opportunity Turning to her at
last, however he said briefly, in low
panied tone:
"You must break off the engagement,
Lame. You caunot marry him.
"Cannotp' she gasped, her face turning
pale. "WhyY N
sListen. he continued huskily, coming
closer to her, laying his big hand upon
her shoulder, and looking down upon
her tenderIy Through all these years
of prosperity and adversely you alone
have been the one bright joy of my life.
Your existence has kept me from going
to the bad altogether; your influence has
prevented me from sinking lower in
degradation than have already sunk.
For me the facile pleasures OF d stray
man have ceased, because, foT your sake.
Lame, l gave. up tie old life and returned
here to settle ard become respectable. l
admit that our life in England is trifle
tame after what we've been used to,
but it will not. perhaps, be always So
At present my LUCK 8 against me and we
must wait in patience; therefore do not
acceDt the 0fSG D1au OuoC u mdffihS6.
Lifeis merely game of rouge .et-noir
sometimes you may win by waiting.
Reflect well upon all the chances before
you stake the maximum"
"But George loves me, dad, and his
family are wealthy" she protested, meet
ing her fathers earnest gaze with her
large gray eyes, in which stood unshed
tears.
..s'I don't doubt it,my girl" he answered
huskily 81 was young once. l, too,
thought ] loved a woman-your mother.
I foolishiy believed that she loved me
better than anyone on earth. Ali You
wiring from me my confession, because
because 1t should serve you as a lesson. -
And he paused with bent head, while
Lame held his strong but trembling hand
1T is wretched story" he went on in
Il low harsh voice. ''yet you should know
1t, you who would bind yourself to this
man irrevocably. AT the time this woman
came into my life l was on leave down
in the South of France, with wealth. hap.
piDess. and bright prospects. l loved
Ter and made her my wife Then went
with my regiment to India but already
my future was blasted. for within year
+ my marriage the glamour fell from my
Il I ~, fk,af Ial