Evening star., 1903-09-01
Nigel by her own evident feeling in his

Nigel by her own evident feeling IN MS
favor
Luckily, nobody asked her any questions
which would have forced from her con-
fession that she had discovered the body,
but had given no alarm. She told how she
had heard a shot fired had had a converse
ton with Mrs. Mason about 1t, had seen
Nigel, and, not being able to get an answer
from him when she called to him, had de-
termined to follow and speak to him. Then
came her accident and her slow journey
down to Fourways, where she had met
Mrs. Treveddoe, who had said She was 60
ing away.
This piece of information, though it was
| not evidence, and would not have been ad-
,, missible in a police court, excited general
interest. What had Mrs. Treveddoe gone
away for? Nigel profesSed himself ignorant
of her whereabouts, but suggested that she
might have gone to see a sister who lived
in London, whose address he gave.
Piety, continuing her answers, stated that
she went into the cottage, reused Nigel
and demonstrated with him on his condi-
ton, and that she remained talking to him
until Farmer Hodges arrived with some
others. During the time she was there, SO
Piety said Nigel only left the room for a
few moments, returning when she called to
him.
The evidence of John Mercer was then
given as to the finding of the body in the
inner room, and that of Farmer Hodges
and Others who had traced the marks of
blood down the road from the haystacks to
the back entrance to the cottage at Four
ways.
No weapon had been found anywhere,
and no marks of blood had been discovered
on Nigers clothing
On the whole, it seemed that, while the
presumptive evidence against him was suf-
hcient to cause his arrest, it was unsup-
ported by any circumstances which would
warrant his being kept in custody.
He was, however, brought up at the police
court and formally charged. but only to be
remanded until the adjourned inquest
should be concluded
The magistrate was ready to grant bail.
but Nigel shook his head at the suggestion
and said there was no one to go bail for
him.
How about this great friend of yours.
this Mr.. Cory, who left his house in yoIr
care? And this money! suggested the
magistrate.
For the suspicious circumstances which
had already surrounded Nigel were matters
of common knowledge, and had indeed haen
the cause of the surveillance which was
kept over the house at Fourways
Nigel Redeemed and moved uneasily from
one foot to the other.
Don't you think he would be bail for
your" repeated the magistrate.
Nigel raised his dark eyes with a trou-
bled look to his face
Maybe he would. sir think he would.
But]out l don't rightly know where he is.'
said he. in low voice.
The police sergeant who was in charge
OF the case smiled with mysterious air.
It's all along his not being willing to tell
that. your worship. that there's been a
watch kept on the house this last day or
two. The gentlemans disappeared, your
worship, and this young mans been spend
ing money freely ever since"
Surely" said the magistrate, turning to
Nigel. 1n the circumstances in which you
are now placed, you would do better to tell
us all you know. can't understand your
reticence If you have done nothing wrong"
II don't know more'n the dead where Mr..
Cory is, SIR" protested Nigel. with a dark
look.
at him narrowly. There was something
that appealed to justice as well as mercy
in the forlorn situation of this poor fellow
who seemed to be without a friend, and. at