Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-06-24
CHAPTER NH.

Next morning ! was better, and both
Uncle Wilfrid and a mar they had got
down from Scotland Yard. Mr.. Marland,
were admitted.
you are aware of having no enc
mies?' he asked. Amy one who would,
so, far as you know, have an object in
putting you out of the way?'
None whatever; l am utterly in the
dark"
"A great dead may depend upon such
information as you are able TO give me,
he went on. For it may even be that
the disappearance of Miss Wynne is d.
rectly or indirectly connected with this
case. This is not the first time | have
been called to Lorn Abbey. l was en-
gagged upon the Haynes murder case,
which is the particular reason why
was sent down again"
THE disappearance of Miss Wynne?"
l echoed. Has she not been found?'
''She was not seen at The Nest, Is
the cottage is called, after 4 O'clock
She went out in thin dress, with no
cloak, took nothing away. not even her
purse; and her maid. az well as her
friends, was ignorant that she had any
intention of leaving the house. She has
been seen by nobody. so far as / have
yet been able to discover, since 6, or
some time shortly after chat hour, last
evening"
"And them" / interpolIsted, my heart
quickening in its action.
Then she was with Miss Hope. Sir
Wilfrid Amory's adopted daughter. who
informs me that they conIersed together
in the room where you lay unconscious,
though they were not aware of your
presence until you were heard to move.
Now, the question l shOrld like to ask
you. Mr.. Darkmore, is whether you also
saw and talked with Miss Wynne earlier
in the day."
Il did" said.
WAS your conversation of a kind
which in your opinion could possibly
have any bearing either on what after
wards happened TO you or upon her own
disappearance"
''None whatever l said hastily. 1--WE
merely discussed an old arrangement
which had existed between ourselves.
and Miss Wynne left the room saying
that she must return TO The Nest, as
Mrs. Annesley. her friend, would be won
dering what, had become OF her.
Miss Wynne did not return to warn
you of the approach Of any suspicious
person? That was not her motive for
coming back again latery'
NO, ! think It must have been some
time before she returned. l know that
to me it seemed very long"
Gould any person have concealed
himself or herself in the room during
your conversation with Miss Wynne?'
Yes, it is just possible that some one
might have come in through the window
which az that time was open. Indeed.
suppose it must lave been so. for the
tsaing happened 50 soon after Miss
Wynne lad gone"
Miss Hope admits a quarrel between
herself and Miss Wynne-admits locking
Miss Wynne into the room, making il
impossible for her to get ont. Your evil
dence shows that Miss Wynne did not
leave the room after rhe loor had been
opened by Miss Hope. TIE quarrel sup
plies a motive for--er-but you can see
how the case stands. 1 am not a law
yer. l am merely a detective. But |
want to fathonl this mystery. Do you
stin refuse TO help me-to throw any
light. by what you heard-@hat you were
led TO suppose by al that passed."
4 curious nervous trembling seized
me, and shook nae from head - foot. Ev-
cry phsse Of the affair seenied TO imprint
itself on my mind as il with fash Of
vivid white electric light.
III understand how unfortunate il
is that 10 not remember 3yhat passed. !"
l stammered. A haze. rudy as blood.
came floating before my eyes, fecked
with sparks which burst. hke fireworks.
into a-millen smaller ones.
Ii would have been Impossible for ne
10 speak another word. even II sslcace
had been an ofterse punishable With
death. | could no longer see either Mar
land or Or. Hasbrouck. bus heard the
latter SAYING. as though his; voice reach
ed me from 4 great distange; All. you
see he has faintedl This was what
feareds