The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-18
THE WOMAN IN WHITE
by WILLIAM w. COLLINS.
(Continued)


left the mouse feeling that Mrs. Cath
erick had helped me step forward, In
spite OF herself. Before / had reached
the turning which led out OF the square
my attention was suddenly aroused by
the sound OF a closing door behind me.
1 looked round, and saw an understood
man in black on the doorstep OF a house
which. as we'll as / could judge, stood
next 10 Mrs. Catherick's place OF abode
next to Il, on the side nearest 10 me
The man did not hesitate moment
about the direction he should take lie
advanced rapidly toward the turning at
which ! had stopped. i recognized him
as the lawyers clerk who had preceded
me In my visit TO Blackwater Park. and
who had tried 10 pick a quarrel with me,
when ! asked him II / could see the
house.
i waited where was. 10 ascertain
whether his object was 10 come 20 close
quarters, and speak on this occasion. To
my surprise. he passed on rapidly, with
out saying a word, without even look
ing up in my face as he went by This
was such a complete Inversion OF the
course OF proceeding which had every
reason to expect on his part. that my
curiosity. or rather my suspicion, was
aroused. and / determined. on my side,
10 keep him cautiosly in view, and 10
which he was now employed. Without
caring whether he saw me or not l
walked after him. He never looked
back. and he led me straight through the
streets 20 the railway station.
The train was on the point Of starting.
and two or three passengers who were
late were clustering round the small
opening through which the tickets were
issued. Joined them, and distinctly
heard the lawyers clerk demand ticket
for the Blackwater station. ] satisfied
myself that ne had actually left by the
train, before / came away.
There was only one Interpretation that
] could place on what / had Just seen
and heard / had unquestionably OBJ
served the man leaving a house which
closely adjoined Mrs. Cathericks resi-
dence. He had been probably placed
there by Sir Percivals directions, as
lodger, IN anticipation OF my inquiries
leading me, sooner or later. to communi-
cate with Mrs. Catherick He had
doubtless seen me 60 in and .come out
and he had hurried away by the first
train 20 make his report at Blackwater
Park-.to which place Sir Percival wouid
naturally betake himself O<nowing what
he evidently knew OF my movements), In
order TO be ready on the spot, IL re-
turned TO Hampshire. Before many
days were over. there seemed every like
=
Whatever result events might be des-
tined TO produce, / resolved 10 pursue
my own course. straight to the end IN
view, without stopping or turning aside.
for sir Percival or for any one. The
great responsibility which weighed on me
heavily I'm London--the responsibility OF
so guiding my slightest actions as TO pt -
vent them from leading accidentally 10
the discovery OF Laura's place of refuge
was removed. now that was in Hamp-
shire | could go and come as ! pleased,
at welmingham; and IL l chanced 10 fail
In observing any necessary precautions,
the Immediate results. at least. would
affect no one but myself
When I left the station, the winter
evening was beginning TO close IN. There
was little hope OF continuing my IN
auiries after dark to any useful purpose.
IN a neighborhood that was strange 70
me Accordingly. ! pade my way 70
the nearest hotel, and ordered my dinner
and my bed. This done. ] wrote 20
Marian, TO tell her that l was safe and
well. and that / had fair prospects OF
success I had directed her. on leaving
home, 10 address the first letter she
wrote TO me (the letter ! expected, 10 re-
eeive the next morn.ng) 10 THE Post
-Office, Welmingham;" and now begged
her 10 send her second days letter TO the
same address. / could easily receive II,
by writing to the postmaster, II l hap
pened TO be away from the town when
81 arrived.
The coffee-room OF the hotel. as II
grew late in the evening. became a per
feet solitude. l was left 10 reflect on
what I had accomplished that after
non as interruptedly as II the house
had been my own. Before ] retired 10
rest, had attertjvely thought over my
extraordinary enterview with Mrs. Catn-
erick. from beginning 10 end. and had
verified. at my leasure. the conclusions
which / had hastily drawn in the earlier
part of the day.
The vestry Of Old Wilmingham church
was the starting point from which my
mind slowly worked It's way back through
ALI that I had heard Mrs. Catherick say