The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-02-11

straight there, and in that case You
would be 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 a 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 I 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 wom-
an who was to exercise such an influence
upon his life. Had 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.
toned hosiery. 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 a
Miss Arabel!a Pridgett, and tried to
make friends with her from the first
minute arrived. I did not brouch the
subject that lay uppermost in my
thoughts until after dinner, when she
ut last seemed to have time on her
hands.
Did she remember Miss Western or
a Miss Staples staying at the inn about
IS months ago?
Miss Western, no, but Mics Staples,
yes. Don't you know az how she has
been murdered, sir? And the papers say
by Mr.. George Fenton, who first met
her in this very house. But I'll never
believe it, sir-never'
II am glad you don't believe it, Miss
Pridgett, for am friend of MIR. Fen
toms and have come here in search Of
evidence. l shall be very glad if you
WIZ te'i 'ne a'A you Ano" VI m'ss qua
PIES.
"Lady Florence Mostyn," observed
the landlady, ito give her real name,
as see ~ the newspapers:
"Quite 60" replied. "If you can
give US any useful lnformatlon' you
Will earn our gratitude, ana II may Dc
that you VIII be instrumental IN saving
IN innocent man from the gallows.'
Miss Prldgett seemed pleased at the
Importance with winch she was SO SUD.
denly invested and' notnihe loath' toid
the tale somewhat as follows:
'Ihe very first time as l set my eyes
on the late Lacy Florence Mostyh was
on q FRIDAY night or May, last year.
ohe came mere aIone ana WIN precious
little luggage and asked II l had small
room at liberty. l happened to nave
one' wh,ch sne TOOK ana kept al inc
time she was here. l Can show you the
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 sandy haired gentle
man, with only one arm, turned up
with some luggage-a Mr.. Lambert he
said bis name was. There was no room
for him, so he staid at Hardness, the
grocer's, bnt 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. remember that particularly
well, for on that very day another gen.
tleman comes here and waits in the
coffee room till he sees them 20 out to-
vethsr; then he raps out an oath and
yushes 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 OIL to hear what was said, but
their looks were expressive enough.
First Of all, Lady Florence she grabs
hold of MIR. Lambert, and seems about
to fall to the ground 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
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