Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-27
CHAPTER XVIII.
Words of the Dead.

Justice is always vigilant-it stops not to
weigh causes, or motives, but overtakes the
criminal. no matter whether his deeds be
the suggestion of malice or the consequence
OF provoked revenge. I was all eagerness
to face the pair in the full light and de-
mand an explanation, yet hesitated, fear
ing lest precipitation might prevent me
gaining knowledge of the truth.
That they had no inclination to walk fur
ther was evident, for they still stood there
In conversation, facing each other and
speaking earnestly. l listened attentively
to every word, my heart humping so loud
ly that wondered they did not hear it's ex-
cited pulsations.
you've seen nothing of Sir Bernard %
she was saying.
"Sir Bernardo he echoed "Why, of
course not. To him 1 am dead and buried,
just as am to the rest of the world. Ny
executors have proved my will at Somer-
set House, I've learnt and very soon you
Will receive its benefits. To meet the old
doctor would be to reveal the whole thing -
1t is all so strange" she said with a
low sigh, that sometimes, when 1 am
alone, l can't believe it to be true We
have deceived the world so completely"
"Of course. That was my intention
But could it not have been done without
the sacrifice of that mans life?" she
| queried Remember, the crime of murder
1T was imperative" he replied in a hard
voice. "A mystery was necessary for our
success"
"And it is mystery which has entirely
bafHed the police in every particular"
LAS l intended it should. I laid my plans
with care, so that there should be no hitch
or point by which Scotland Yard could OBJ
tain a clue
but our future Iife?" she murmured
when may l return again to you? AT
present I am compelled to feign mourning
and present a perfect picture of interesting
widowhood; but-but hate this playing al
DEATH"
Have patience dear" he urged in a SYM
pathetic tone. For the moment we must
remain entirely apart, holding no commu-
nication with each other save in secret or
the first and fifteenth day of every month
as we arranged. AS soon as l find myself
| in position of safety we will disappear to-
gether, and you will leave the world Won
dering at the second mystery following
upon the first
I'm how long time do you anticipate?''
| she asked, looking earnestly into his eyes
| "A few months at most was his answer
| IF it were possible you should return to
me at once; but you know how strange and
( romantic is my life, compelled to disguise
| my personality and forever moving from
| place to place like the Wandering Jew To
! return to me at present is quite impossible
| Besides-you are in the hands Of the execu-
| tors; and before long must be in evidence
in order to receive my money
| Money is useless to me without happi-
4
plant. MY position at present is one OF
| constant dread"
| Whom and what do you fear?"
| Il believe that DIR. Boyd has some vague
suspicion of the truth" she responded, az
| ter pause.
"What?' he cried in quick surprise. Tel
| me why. Explain it all to me-"
There is nothing to explain-save that
tonight he seemed to regard my every
| movement with suspicion"
| "Ah! my dear. your fears are utterl,
! groundless," he laughed. What can thu
| fellow possibly know? He is assured thai
am dead, for he signed my certificate, ani
followed me to my grave at Working. A
man who attends his friends funeral ha!
| no suspicion that the dead is still living
depend upon It, If there Is any object IL
| this world that Is convincing 1t Is a corpse.
II merely tell you the result of my obser
vations," she said "In my opinion he ha,
| come here to learn what he can
/ He can learn nothing" answered tn,
| dead man. III 1t were his COMPOUNDED
friend Jevons now. we might have som,
apprehension; for the ingenuity of that maj