Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-03-26
Copyright, 1897, by the Author.
CHAPTER XIV.
WAITING FOR THE ARREST.

WAITING FOR THE ARREST.
Sir Jaffray was go excited at the pos
sibility of clearing Lola from the terri
BILE charge OF which she had been sus-
pected and SO relieved at having his own
distressing doubts removed and indeed
80 overjoyed to see her again that he
lost sight of all the first part Of her con-
fession in thinking of the end, and he
told the facts to the inspector with all
the enthusiasm and confidence Of pro-
found belief.
But the two men to whom he spoke
listened to it with thoughts very differ
ent from his.
81 have no doubt all that you say is
quite correct" said the inspector at the
close in the tone of a man who didn't
believe q word of it. "but there are
some few questions I should like to ask
Lady Walcote, with your permission. :"
"Of course. Ask what you like,
said the baronet.
"First, am bound to caution you,
Lady Walcote, that you are not COM
pelled to answer any question, and that,
II you do answer, anything you say may
be used in evidence against you.
"Ask what you please, sir, " replied
Lola readily.
"What were the relations between
you and this Pierre Turrian3"
''He was my husband"
"Ahi Will you tell me why you left
homer
Lola glanced at Sir Jaffray.
"There is no use in further conceal
ment," be said in answer to her look.
"It is rather long story, but will
tell it to you" And Lola told him.
"It is a very extraordinary tale"
said the inspector skeptically. "You
admit, then, that you met the deceased
that night at o'clock at the place
where be was found dead. That is a
very strong admission.
"Yet it is the truth"
"Why did you go armed2 Why did
you take that dagger with your"
81 did not 60 armed. know nothing
Of the dagger beyond what have read
that he was stabbed with dagger
which may have been taken from here. "
"What of the bracelet?'
II know nothing of that either.
Purposely I left behind me every bit of
jewelry which had not been mine be-
fore my marriage"
"Your theory is, then, that some one
must have taken the dagger and the
bracelet and have gone with them to do
this murder in order to put the blame
on you?'
II have no theory" answered Lola
resolutely II tell you the truth. l had
the letter from Pierre Turrian in the
afternoon. 1 met him at the time named
and at the place named. walked with
him for about an hour in the direction
of the Branxton road and left him at
about 10 o'clock close to that road. |
then walked on as fast as my strength
would allow to Branxton, which l
reached just before O'Clock. That is
ALL"
"How are you going to prove that?"
asked the inspector ''We have nothing
so far but your bare word. What proofs
have your
II have come back to find them," re-
piled Lola stoutly. IF had done this
deed, should not have come back: but,
instead, should have put an end to
my life"
"Yet you went away?"
"For the same motive that brought
me back-reeard for Sir Jaffray. Iwent
because fight seemed to me the only
way out of terrible ENHANCEMENT, the
only way to avoid even greater troubles.
I came back because, for the sake of his
honor, it was necessary that my name
should be cleared of this suspicion.
''It is more to the point to ask Lady
Walcote how she was dressed when she
went away" put in Mr.. Clifford, land
how it came that Sir Jaffray was able
to identify her by her dress that night. "
Il was dressed as / am now" She
wore plain black costume.
II thought saw you in cloak with
a hood to it, such as I remembered to
have seen you wear on our American
trip Oh board the boat"
"No; was dressed as am"
''The dress, in my view, is secondary
matter" said Mr.. Borderham dogmat-
ically. 1.-The important part of the af-
fair is not what she wore but what she
did. Much of that is quite clear from
her own admissions-most damaging ad-
missions, too-and painful and unpleas-
ant though it is to me-" and he turned
deferentially to Sir Jaffray. II am
bound to say that Lady Walcote must
consider herself under arrest.
Certainly. I quite agree with you,"
said Mr.. Clifford in SO decided a tone
that the others looked at him. 1.-The
story that we have listened to is obvi-
ously very difficult one to accept, and
a very little sitting will show its alb
surdity. I would suggest, Sir Jaffray,
that it be given out here that her lady
ship is under surveillance, that her adj
missions amount to virtual confession,
and that her actual arrest will be made
as soon as the formalities can be COM
pleted. With your permission I will
retire from the case, and l have only to
express my profound regret that have
l.. L. 1~1xo -