Evening star., 1899-04-01

behest under a sudden stress OF fear or
fascination" he exclaimed, pausing by the
well curb and looking over it at his reflec-
ton in the water beneath. If l drop 1t
here / at least lose the horror of doing
what she suggests, under some involuntary
impulse" But the thought that the mere
absence of the ring from his finger would
not stand in the way of his going through
the motions to which she had just given
such significance deferred him from the sac
rifice of a valuable family jewel and he left
the spot with an air of frenzy such as a
man displays when he feels himself on the
verge of doom he can neither meet nor
avert.
AS he re-entered the house he felt him
self enveloped in the atmosphere of COM
ing crisis. He could hear voices in the
upper hall and among them he caught the
accents of her he had learned so lately to
fear. 1mpeiled by something deeper than
curiosity and more potent even than dread.
he hastened toward the stairs. When half
way up them, he caught sight of Amabel.
She was leaning back against the balus-
trade that ran across the upper hall, with
her hands gripping the rail on either side
of her and her face turned toward the five
men who had evidently issued from Mr.
Sutherland's study to interview her.
AS her back was to Frederick he could
not Judge of the expression of that face
save by the effect 1t had upon the different
men confronting her. But to see them was
enough From their looks he could per-
ceive that this young girl was in one of her
battling moods and that from his father
down not one of the men present knew
what to make Of her.
At the sound his feet made, a relaxation
took place in her body and she lost some
thing of the defiant attitude she had be-
fore maintained. Presently he heard her
voice:
II am willing to answer any questions you
may choose to put me here; but 1 cannot
consent to shut myself in with you in that
small study; I should suffocate."
Frederick could perceive the looks which
passed between the five men assembled be-
fore her. and was astonished to note that
the insignificant fellow they called Sweet
water was the first to answer
Very WE'LL said he. 'if you enjoy the
publicity of the open hall. no one here viii
object. Is not that so, gentlemen"
Her two little fingers, which were turned
toward Frederick. ran up and down the
rail, making peculiar rasping noise, which
for a moment the only sound to be
heard. Then Mr.. Courtney said:
How came you to have the handling of
the money taken from Agatha Webb's nri-
yate drawer?'
It was startling question. but it seemed
to affect Amabel less than 1t did Frederick.
1t made him start, but she only turned her
head a trifie aside SO that the peculiar
smile with which she. prepared to answer
could be seen by any one standing below.
Suppose you ask something less leading
than that to begin with" she suggested in
her high. unmusical voice. From the
searching nature of this inquiry, you evil
IDENTIFY believe have information of an i'm
portant character to give you concerning
Mrs. Webb's unhappy death. Ask me about
that; the other question 1 will answer
later"
The aplomb with which this was said,
mixed as it was with a feminine allure
ment of more than ordinary subtlety. made
Mr. Sutherland frown and DIR. Talbot
look perplexed, but it did not embarrass
Mr. Courtney, who made haste to respond
IN his dryest accents.
Very well; l am not particular as to
what you answer first. A flower worn by
| you at the dance was found near Batsy'S
skirts. before she was lifted up that morn
ing. Can you explain this, or, rather, will
you?"
In Mr.. Sutherland, with his inexorabe
sense OF justice. Still, If you would it
might rob these gentlemen of suspicious
you certainly cannot wish them to enter
| tain
What 1 say" she remarked slowly. will
| be as true to the facts as If / stood here on
my oath. / can explain how flower from
| my hair came to be in Mrs. Webb's house
| but not how IL came to be found under Bat
| sy's feet. That some one else must clear
| VI" Her little finger. lifted from the rail.
| pointed toward Frederick, but no one saw
| this. unless 1t was that gentleman himself.
| Il wore this orchid in my hair that night,
| and there would be nothing strange In its
| being afterward picked up in Mrs. Webb 8
| house, because l was in that house at or
| near the time she was murdered
You in that house?'
| Yes, as far the ground floor: no
| further" Here the little finger stopped
! pointing. Il am ready to tell you abou, It,
| sirs. and only regret 1 have delayed doing
| so so long, but 1 wished to be sure it was
necessary Your presence here and your
| first question show that 1t Is"
! There was suavity in her tone now, not
| unniixed with candor. Sweetwater did not
seem to relish this, for he moved uneasily