Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-08-21
CHAPTER XVII.
Continued.


Continued.
Now these words, taken with the
tone in which they We're spoken, We're
strong tests of the lovers trust. But
Clifford did not finch. lie told Hem
ming to call the nurse, who was wait
Ing outside the door, and at once sent
a message to Nell to ask her to come
and see him.
And don't tell her." he went on,
with defiant glance at the detective.
"who it is that wishes to see her."
When Nell came in, therefore, she
was taken by surprise. 1t worried
Clifford to note that she turned very
white and began to trcmblc violently
whcn she found who it was that want.
cd to speak to her. Hclnming came to
the point at once.
do you remember, Miss" said he.
in very defcrential tone, Colonel
Bostal's taking down an old pistol from
a nail in the wall of his house, about
n week ago, and showing it to you
and some other ladies:'
Yes, Nell remembered. She threw
q frightened glance at Clifford as she
made this admission.
Can you tell me who the ladies
wcrc:"
Mrs. Lansdowne and her daughter
and Miss Thcodora ani-and-I"
'"rhe colonel fired it off, did he not?'
Eyes"
".And wanted you ladies to do the
same"
YES"
".lnd did you do SO? Please tell me
what happcned.'
"Thcy were all afraid to touch it."
"All:'
"All, cXccpt-eXccpt me"
Trembling from head to foot. Nell
cast an imploring glance at her lover.
You fired it off two or three times,
! believe, Miss? And you hit a mark
that you fired at:'
The girl answered almost in shrek
of terror:
Il did not hit it! Who says that I
hit it,"
Clifford started up, leaning on his
arm. In an instant Nell recovered
enough OF her sclf-poSSession to tell
him to lie down again. But her voice
| shook. lIcmming spoke IN II very gen
tie and apologize tone as he went ON
with his intcrrogatOry:
us this the pistol you used, Miss"
He produced from one of his pockets
.le old cavalry pistol, which no had
brought from Shngle End.
Yes" replied Neil, not needing Cliff
ford's attempts to bring the cxamina-
lion to an end, that is the one"
"Do you remember what happened
when you had all seen it, and it was
| done with:'
YES. The colonel reloaded it
She stopped short ana looked down.
You are sure that he reloaded IT."
eyes. He reloaded it, and hung it
upon the nail again"
Have You ever touched the pistol
eince:'
mo, no."
HAS any one else, to your knowl-
edge, touched it sincc:'
NO"
"What is all this to lead to?' asked
Clifford, impatlcntiy.
"Well can't tell you vet, sir. But
The colonel says--and the young lady
and Miss BOStai all say the same-that
he put the pistol back on its nail
loaded, a week ago; and when | took
| 1t down from It's nail tonight, it had
| been discharged. That's all ut pres
rnt, sir"
For one minute Hcmming waited,
expecting to have something said TO
him by Clifford King or Nell. AS
they remained silent, he took his leave,
with more apologies for his intrusion.
The lovers looked at each other.
Nell" asked Clifford in Il whisper,
when they had been alone and silent
Tor some moments, rs it true that
you fired it OFF,"
quite true. Now do you doubt ne,
too:'
mo. l swear I don't. But, Nell, my
darling, | begin to tremblc for you all
the same"
The young mans voice shook. Nell
gazed into his face in an agony Of
horror.
IF knew anything, would tell it,
whatever happened" she cried, sud
denly. 'It is not fair that l should
have to suffer like this"'
Now this speech was perplexlng to
aer listener, but she would give no
explanation of it. She only told him
ihat she wanted time to think, to con-
slider. And Oh the following morning,
soon after breakfast, she called the
urse out of the room to ask If she
,ould so IN and say goodbye to Mr..
King.
Clifford stared at her In astonish-
nent. She had on her hat and cloak.
and was evidently ready for Jour
ley.
Didn't you know that l was going
% London yesterday, to my aunt's?'
She asked. "They stopped me, to give
evidence at the inquest. So / am 60
ng to-day, instead"
But" began Clifford, and hesitated
"You think it looks bad for me to 20
away" said she impatiently. "Well,
people must think what they like. If
The police want me, dare say they
will be able to find me out" she ad-
Qed bitterly.
Clifford was shocked.
Don't. child. don't speak like that"