The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-02-22

can believe, but I know nothing about
Mr.. Finnecure Vandeleur. He may lave
been telling me pack Of lies for any
thing know.
"Let me see, said Mabel, chow do
the dates agree? According to this man
Vandeleur, she joined the company
about year after her disappearance
and then few months afterward she
left again. That would be about the
time George met her at the village inn
on the Wye. Very probably she went
straight there, and in that case you
would Ie able to find out if she had al
ways been alone, as George found her,
or if these friends of hers accompanied
her. You had better go down to Hinton
at once and make inquiries. ;"
"a good idea, indeed, Mabel. You
would make capital detective. %
Don't you think times like these
sharpen all our wits, Duncan? Why,
| even you are energetic" she added,
with one Of her old smiles
could not resist proving the truth
Of this by drawing her to me and kiss
ing her sweet lips And she forgave me.
All that night ! was travelling and
thinking. Next morning found me in
the old fashioned central street Of Hin
ton, the little fishing village on the
Wye, where George had met this y7cm-
an who was to exercise such an influence
upon hia life. Had I been there On any
less important errand, / should have ad,
mired the beauty Of the place, but as it
was hurried to the inn with no other
thought than my mission. The Coach
and Horses was comfortable, old fash
ioned hostelry. Except in the winter
months, it was generally full of fisher
men or tourists and had justly acquired
reputation among them for comfort
and convenience. The landlady was
Miss Arabella Pridgett, and I tried to
make friends with her from the first
minute arrived. I did not breach the
subject that lay uppe1most in my
thoughts until after dinner, when she
at last seemed to have time on her
hands.
Did she remember Miss Western or
Miss Staples staying at the inn about
18 months ago?
Miss Western, no, but Miss Staples,
yes. Don't you know as how she has
been murdered, sir? And the papers say
by Mr. George Fenton, who first met
her in this very house. But Pll never
believe it, sir-neverp'
81 am glad you don't believe it, Miss
Pridgett, for I am a friend of Mr.. Fen
ton IS and have come here in search Of
evidence. shall be very glad if you
will tell me all you know Of Miss Sta
PIES. %
''Lady Florence Mostyn," observed
the landlady, ''to give her real name,
as I see by the newspapers"
"Qnite so, ~ replied. "If you can
give us any useful information, you
will earn our gratitude, and it may be
that you will be instrumental in saving
an innocent man from the gallows.
Miss Pridgett seemed pleased at the
Importance with which she was so sud-
denly invested, and, nothing loath, told
the tale somewhat as follows:
1.-The very first time as I set my eyes
on the late Lady Florence Mostyn was
On Friday night Of May, last year
She came here alone and with precious
little luggage and asked if I had small
room at liberty. I happened to have
one, which she took and kept ali the
time she was here. can show you the
room, sir It's scarcely big enough for
one person to turn round in, but it suit
ed Lady Florence down to the ground.
She had supper in the coffee room that
night, but as it was pretty full OF gen
tlemen she only made hasty meal,
and then went up stairs.
1.-The next day a sandy haired gentle.
man, with only one arm, turned up
with some luggage Mr.. Lambert he
said his name was There was no room
for him, SO he staid at Harkness', the
erocer's, but he had his meals here with
Lady Florence Mostyn-Miss Staples
that is, as we called her. They had the
private sitting room as soon as it was
at liberty, which was on the Monday fol-
lowing. 1 remember that particularly
well, for on that very day another gen.
tleman comes here and waits in the
coffee room till he sees them 90 out to-
gether; then be raps out an oath and
rushes after them. They had gone to-
ward the summer house at the back, but
before they had got across the lawn the
gentleman overlook them. They were
too far off to hear what was said, but
their looks were expressive enough.
First of all, Lady Florence she grabs
hold Of Mr.. Lambert, and seems about
to fall to the around with fright. Mr..
Lambert puts his one arm round her
and holds her up, while he places him
self betwixt her and the stranger. There
was some strong language used on that
green, sir, and though couldn't hear
the words, it was plain TO any one that
there was a violent quarrel on both
sides. Then the newcomer seemed about
to strike Mr.. Lam bert, but Lady Flor
ence she mills herself together and