The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-11-04
CHAPTER XIV.
Continued.

signorina"
1t was said with so much feeling
and with such a frank disregard of
appearances that Mr.. Gryce insensibly
softened toward the antique lamp he
was at that moment considering. As
for Mr.. Byrd he flushed and answered
gravely:
''I have received no further news
from Great Darlington since seeing
you this afternoon" and turned away
before he had finished speaking, as if
he felt it painful even to address the
artist.
Mr.. Degraw may have noticed this
expression Of reluctance, but, If he
did he did not show it. On the con-
trary he Immediately burst out:
"Then of whom are you speaking?
I know no young girl"
y. "Do you know Jenny Rogers" -
1t was Mr.. Gryce who spoke.
The artist shivered. Jenny Rog-
ers?" he repeated.
"Yes," pursued the other; "she seems
TO have known yon."
The artist looked daZed.
mot the Jenny Rogers in whom you
have professed such deep interest"
proceeded the detective. gravely, "but
a more defenseless girl, because a
more friendless and ignorant one. 1t
is in her regard you are arrested. So
much feel at liberty say, but no
more. AS for yourself, you need say
nothing. Silence commits no one, but
speech is not always SO SAFE"
"But silence is cowardice in an inno-
cent man, and nothing can ever make
me keep still over an outrage which
has no excuse in fact. commit muir
der and upon an innocent girl! Why,
your own man, Byrd, will tell you
that it is an accusation too ridiculous
to be seriously considered. Even if
knew the girl, which I do not, for
take it for granted that you mean the
one who perished in the blind alley,
I have had no reason for injuring her
or any one. You might as we'll arrest
the first man you CHANGED to meet; it
would not be any more unreasonable
or absurd!'
"There is where you make 4 mis-
4ake," interjected the other. "The
first man we CHANGED to meet would
not, in all probability, bear the some
what unusual and striking name of
Hamilton Degraw."
"And what if he did not? What has
my name got to do with this matter?'
"A great deal. You had better come
with US, Mr.. Degraw. Perhaps you
can convince the magistrate that you
have been arrested under a false
charge. If you can I shall be the first
to congratulate you, for you certainly
paint most exquisite pictures"
"The magistrate! Well, let US 60 to
the magistrate. ask nothing more
than sensible man to talk to- Muir
der! I could be angry if I were not
so much astonished at the senseless
offlciousness of a police who could ar
rest me on such charge as this"
Whether Mr.. Gryce secretly believed
IN his victims innocence, or whether
he was disposed to show one of so
much talent every consideration in his
power, he not only managed to allow
him to pass seemingly unattended
through the streets, but took him down
to police headquarters, instead OF to
magistrate as he had threatened. Here
he found the inspector, and bringing
the two together he remarked in ex-
cuse:
Here is Mr.. Degraw, sir. He so ut
terly scouts the idea of his being in
any way answerable to the charge
made against him, and is so ready to
give any explanation we may require
that have brought him to you instead
Of to magistrate. Have done right,
sir?'
The inspector looked at young De.
graw, who bore his regard so frankly
that he at once inspired confidence.
I'VE will see," he returned. IF Mr..
DeGraw can answer all our questions
satisfactorily, why, it will be a great
point gained, Of course. But We do not
require him to speak at all; we only
give him liberty to do So"
Good" calculated the artist II am
only too ready. First, then, why do
you accuse me Of numbering q girl
whom never saw, nor of whose exist
ence was / even aware, till I heard of
her death, here on this very spot at the
time came to see Mr.. Byrd on 4 mat
ter utterly disconnected with this sub.
ject?'
1T is a direct question, and will
answer it directly. We charge you
with her murder because you alone,
or all the men in town, answer to the
name and appearance Of the person
who for the last three months has
been lowering about the steps not only
Of this girl, but Of others bearing the
simple name of Jenny Rogers"
II do? Impossibler'
"Not at all. You certainly have made
the acquaintance Of one such rerson,
have you not:"
"The signorina."
"Called the signorina.'"
ayes, yes! but She"
"Oh, know the story; Byrd. here,
has been forced to tell me: a very i'm
probable story, by the way: so I'M
probable, that even an old dealer in
mysteries like myself has ventured to
question its facts. and believe only in
your extreme desire to recover traces
of the woman who Las seemingly fed
from you."