Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-03-30
Copyright, 1897, by the Author.
CHAPTER XVI.

ruption by Mr.. Clifford in bad part. He
had persuaded himself so thoroughly
that he was going to make his reputa-
tion over the case and was 80 convinced
that be had excluded the possibility Of
mistake that he was impatient Of any
thing that threatened delay.
II don't see the necessity Of this in
terruption.". he said in his stiffest
official manner.
Mr. Clifford read him at a glance
and instantly resolved to puzzle him
still more.
81 know it's unprofessional," be said
very suavely, "but there is little mat
ter Of theft which think ought to be
cleared up before anything else is done,
and Lady Waloote's presence is essen
tial fer that purpose. -
"This is unwarrantable tri1ing, Mr..
Giffordl" exclaimed Sir Jaffray indig-
nantly, and the inspector seconded this
opinion. with look. "We are here in
the midst of the gravest crisis Of our
lives, and you, having backed out Of
the serious business this morning, now
come with some sort of hippant trivial
ity on your lips. I must ask you to
withdraw.
cit is no triviality, Sir Jaffray," re-
turned Mr.. Clifford apologetically. 81
am not given to play the clown in the
middle Of tragedy. What I say is cor
rect, however. I have charge Of theft
to make against servant in the house,
and repeat that it must be heard here
before anything more is done."
He went to the door, and, opening it,
beckoned to some one outside to come
in. A woman who had been in charge
of two footmen entered.
She was Lady Walcote's French
maid, Christelle Duval. She held her
head up with saucy, Haunting air Of
bravado and looked angrily at Mr.. Gift
ford.
II charge this woman, Christelle
Duval, with the theft Of this Dress"
said Mr.. Clifford, rapidly unfastening
the parcel which he had been carrying
and holding up black dress trimmed
with silk and lace. 1t is one of your
dresses, Lady Walcote," he said, land
has been found among this woman's
clothes"
"You are fool" cried the woman
angrily and with vigorous gesture.
speaking with a French accent, "a
stupid fooll Have l not tell you 90
times it is a dress madame gave me?
You know it, madame-you know what
I say. You give it me since month in
London. Is it not so? 1t is only an old
thing you have done with. You say,
'Christelle, you can have this, but this
man, this fool, fix on it and say steal
it. he is-bah!
She finished with wave Of the hand
of infinite contempt, as if the detective
were too much of fool even for words
"Now you are lying, you Frenchwo-
man," he said coarsely. "You have TAX
en- that dress out of Lady Walcote's
wardrobe within the last two days AND
since Lady Walcote left the manor You
have stolen it Do you hear?"
"Ah," she exclaimed, with toss OF
the head and a sneer, Il have it
month, and it never leave my possession
one minutel Miladi knows. What do
YOU say? Tell this-this cochon that he
is fool and then let me 60"
The witnesses of this scene had lis
tened in blank bewilderment while this
had passed, and now Sir Jaffray inter
posed angrily.
"This is insufferabler" he cried.
II think can settle this in mo.
mert," said Lola, who kept cool.
"What Christelle says is quite true,
Mr.. Clifford. gave her the dress at least
a month ago. 1t is hers, and certainly
she canno. be said to have stolen it. "
"Therep' said the girl. tossing her
head again and curling her lip "Wbat
did I say?"
sis that so: Then l have made u
mistake" said Mr.. Clifford, with a
very crestfallen air. "Do you mean
that you gave her this for her own, to
wear when she pleased?"
"Of course What else, stupid?' ex-
claimed the woman, laughing saucily.
II tell you the dress has never been out
of nv possession, and have worn it
when l pleased. She repeated his
words in a mockiug tone and laughed.
II think this has gone far enough,
Mr.. Clifford" said the police inspector
1T is clear you have made mistake
You had better leave the room. he
added to the girl.
Zone moment, please" said Mr.
Clifford calmly. Il am not quite the
fool you seem to think. Now have
something serious to say You have all
heard this woman," pointing at her
with his forefnger, "own that that
dress is hers, that she has had 1t a
month and more, that it has never LETT
her possession, and that she has worn
it. You marked that, all of you?" He
paused and looked around him.
"Well?' asked Inspector Borderham
in a tone and with an expression that
seemed to say the whole business was a
tedious interruption.
"Well, l withdraw the charge against
her of having stolen the dress, and in
stead''-he stopped and glanced around
as if to enjoy the full effect of his next
words-"I charge her with the murder
of Pierre Turrian!'
If he had aimed at producing dra-
matte effect, he could not have been
more successful.
The words fell like a bomb in the
midst of them all.
Lola turned as pale as death and
leaned for moment against Beryl, by
whom she was again sitting, and into
po.r,,s oyos tbere came a look of in.