The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-02
(Continued.)

No circumstance OF the slightest Inn
portance happened on my way 10 the Of
fices OF Messrs. Gilmore and Kyrle, in
Chancery Lane.
While my card was being taken In TO
Mr.. Kyrie. a consideration occurred TO
me which | deeply regretted not having
thought OF before. The information de-
rived from Marian's diary made II mat
ter of certainty that Count tosco hau
opened her first letter from Blackwatet
Park 10 Mr.. Kyrle. and had, by means OF
his wife intercepted the second. He was.
therefore well aware of the address OF
the ofrice and he would naturally infer
that n Marian wanted advice and assist
ance. after Laura's escape from the asy-
lum. she would apply once more TO the eN-
perience OF Mr.. Kyrle. In this case, the
Office in Chancery lane was the very
first place which he and Sir Perciva
would cause TO be watched. and t the
same persons were chosen for the pur-
pose who had been employed TO follow
me. before my departure from England,
the fact OF my return would In all proba-
bility be ascertained on that very day.
i had thought, generally, OF the chances
of my being recognized In the streets
the special risk connected with the OF
fice had never occurred TO me until the
present moment. IL was too late now TO
ment-too late TO wish that i had made
arrangements for meeting the lawyer In
some place privately appointed before
hand ! could only resolve 10 be cautious
on leaving Chancery lane, and not to go
straight home again under any circum-
stances whatever.
After waiting a few minutes. I was
shown into Mr. Kyrle's private room. He
was a pale. thin. quiet, self-possessed
man, with a very attentive eve, very
low voice and a very undemonstrative
manner: not las | judged) ready with his
zympathy where strangers were concern
ed and not at all easy 10 disturb In his
professional composure. A better man for
my purpose could hardly have been
found II ne committed himself to a deci-
sion at all. and If the decision was favor
able the strength OF our case was as
good as proved from that moment.
Before ! enter on the business which
brings me here" ! said, II ought 10 warn
YOU Mr. Kyrle. that the shortest state
ment l can make OF 1t may occupy some
little time
my time is at Miss Halcombe's dis
posai." he replied Where any interests
OF hers are concerned. | represent my
partner personally. as well as profession
ally. II was his request that should do
SO. when he ceased to take an active part
in business.
May l inquire whether Mr.. Gilmore is
in England7"
'"He is not. he is living with his rela-
tives in Germany His health has inprov
ed. but the period OF his return is still
uncertain"
While we were exchanging these few
preliminary words, he had been search
ing among the papers before him. and he
now produced from them a sealed letter.
! thought he was about to hand the let
Al Il.
mind. he placed II by itself on the table.
settled himself In his chair. and silently
waited TO hear what ! had 10 say.
Without wasting a moment in PREDATORY
words OF any sort. entered on my mar
rative, and put him in full possession of
the events which have already been re-
lated i'm these pages.
Lawyer as he was 10 the very marrow
OF his bones. l startled him out OF his
professional composure. Expressions OF
incredulity and surprise. which he could
not repress. interrupted me several
times, before 7 had done. / persevered.
however, to the end. and. as soon as I
reached II. boldly asked the one import
ant question:
What is your opinion. Mr.. Kyrle7"
He was too cautious TO commit himself
20 an answer without taking time to re-
cover his self-possession first
Before give my opinion" he said II
must beg permission To clear the ground
by a few questions
He put the questions-sharp. suspicious,
unbelieving questions. which clearly
showed me. as they proceeded. that he
thought | was the victim OF n delusion
and that he might even have doubted
but for my introduction to him by Miss
Halcombe. whether I was not attempting
the perpetration OF cunningly designed
fraud.
do you believe that have spoken the
truth. Mr. Kyrle?' I asked, when he had
done examining me
so far as your own convictions are
concerned. am certain you have spoken