The sun., 1900-11-26
CHAPTER Iy.
= = III y
A MYSTERIOUS WOMAN.

ioner some little time before he had
been run against on this very corner
by man rushing out Of the gateway
in a state of great agitation. This man
held something in his hand that gilt
erred, and, though the encounter near
" upset them both, he had not stopped
10 utter an apology, but stumbled
nway into the darkness in dazed and
feeble way, showing that lie was
neither young nor active. The minister
had not been able to see his face, but
noticed the ends of long beard blow
ing over his shoulder as he hurried
away.
Philemon was q clean shaved man..
Asked if he could give the time of his
encounter, he replied that it was after
II and before u, for he was in his own
house by II.
"Did you look up at these windows
before leaving?" asked Mr.. Fenton,
for this interview had taken place in
the presence of the dead.
Il must have, for | now remember
they were both lighted
"Were the shades up?
Il think not, or should have noticed
the ceiling of the room. remember
seeing nothing"
"IIow We're the slAdes when you
broke into the house this norning?"
inquired Mi. Sutherland OF the con
stable.
Just rs they are now; we have NOV
cd nothing. The shades were both
down-one Of them over an open win
dow"
We'll. we may find this encounter
of Mr.. Cranes Of decided Importance"
Il wish | had seen the mans face"
remarked the latter.
"What did the object look like you
saw glittering in his handY
Il should not like to venture an
opinion. saw it but an instant"
Gould it have been a knife or an old
fashioned dagger?"
1T might have been"
ALIAS, poor Agatha! That money,
something she so despised, should
cause the death of a creature so grand
and simple Unhappy life, unhappy
death Fenton, shall always mourn
for Agatha Webb"
''Yet she seems to have found peace
at last" said the minister. 81 have
never seen her look so contented."
Then leading Mr.. Sutherland aside he
whispered; what is it you say about
money? Had she any considerable
amount of it? | ask because in spite
of their humble means OF living she al.
ways put a generous donation on the
plate, and ! have received more than
once during my pastot'ate an uneXpect-
edly large and anonymous contribution
for certain charities. As it was always
for sick or suffering children p
'tYes, yes. have no doubt it came
from her. She was by no means poor,
though myself never Knew the extent
of her means till lately Philemon was
good businc ae, bu they ev-
identity prefer simpl :, having
no children liylng"-
"'rhey have lost six. have been
told"
$50 the Porchester folks say. They
probably had no heart for display or
for even the simplest luXuries. AT all
events they did not indulge in them"
philemon has long been past indulg.
ing in anything"
"Oh, he likes his comfort, and he has
had it too. Agatha never stinted him."
but why do you think her death
was due to her having money!"
''She had large sum in the house,
and there are some who knew this"
"And Is it gomez
"That we shall know later"
As the coroner arrived at this mo-
ment the minister's curiosity had to
wait. Fortunately for his equanimity
no one had the presumption to ask him
to leave the room.
The coroner was man of but few
words and but little given to emotion.
Yet they were surprised at his first
question.
WHO is the young woman who is
standing outside there, the only one in
the yardW
Mr.. Sutherland, moving rapidly to
the window. drew aside the shade.
1T is Miss Page, my housekeeper's
niece" he explained. II DO not under
stand her interest in this affair. She
followed me here from the house and
could hardly be got to leave this room,
into which she intruded herself against
my express command"
"But look at her attitude" 1t was
Mr.. Fenton who spoke. She's crazier
than Philemon, it seems TO me-"
There was some reason for this re-
mark. Guarded by the high fence from
the gaze of the pushing crowd without,
She stood upright and immovable in the
middle of the yard, like one on watch.
The hood which she had dropped from
her head when she thought her eyes
and smile might be of use to her in the
furtherance of her plans had been
drawn over it again, so that she looked
more like a statue in gray than liv-
ing, breathing woman. Yet there was
menace in her attitude and purpose
in the solitary stand she took in that
circle of board girded grass which
caused a thrill in the breast or those
who looked at her from that chamber
of death.
"A mysterious young woman." NUT.
tered the minister.