The Washington times., 1903-10-18

i have serious work on hand just
now" Mr.. Lockheart replied. "You have
heard perhaps of the Scarsdale murder7'
mo. indeed-I seldom look at the
newspapers. But let me see-Scarsdale
is not very far from-my place"
Iseult hesitated before uttering the
last words. The lawyers she bad en-
Logged had abandoned all hope of trac-
ing Ethel Fairfax. and she herself had
begun to admit the hopelessness Of the
quest.
''Indeedl" Mr.. Lockheart exclaimed,
with more animation than he had be-
fore shown. 81 am for the defense. and
my clients trial comes on the day af
ter tomorrow. I'm afraid-very much
afraid-that he'll be convicted"
Then you think he is innocent?"
Iseult remarked. but without much in
terest.
Yes. 1 do. 1 wouldn't defend a man I
thought guilty of such crime" replied
Mr.. LockheaIt emphaticaIly. But that
roor Arnold is innocent I'd stake my
life."
'Ts her"
Il am certain he Isl These are some
CT the facts. He and a fellow-artist
named Wellbay were staying at farm
house near Scarsdale in early spring
Farmer Chivers had one daughter re-
marSably pretty girl. and as innocent as
pretty wellbay. IT seems, paid Lily
ChiV ers a good deal of attention in
covert sort OF way. Arnold had known
the family for some years. and when he
found out that WeIIbay was flirting with
the girl, he demonstrated strongly. One
evening they were heard to exchange
bitter words-indeed, l must admit that
Arnold foolishIy threatened his friend
and that night wellbay was found about
mile from the farmhouse shot through
the heart" Mr.. Lockheart paused.
"well?" Iseult said, interested at last
In the story.
Arnold was Immediately suspected
He had been absent from the house dur
ing the evening and did not return.
pistol belonging to him was found close
to the dead man. OF course it was said
that jealousy was the motive for the
deed
THAT seems pretty conclusive evil
dence."
"Yes-the facts are certainly strong
but, II you knew the man, you would
agree with me in deeming him incapable
OF murder"
What is his defense? Can he prove
where he spent the timer"
Unfortunately. no. He was much an
noyed with Wellbay for his conduct, and
he decided TO leave the place for few
days His decision was made on the
impulse of the moment. and he did not
speak OF 1t to anyone. friend of his
was rector OF a little village twenty
miles distant, and. being a good walker.
he set off for it, The first news he re
ceived was of his friends sudden death
from heart disease. He was deeply
grieved and passed on to the church
yard. There was neither bolt nor bar
TO keep him out, and he passed hours
by a new-made grave. / can conceive
that he was a very suspicious looking
object when he reused the landlord of
the village inn in the early dawning-"
'Yes?" interrogatively.
He was at once arrested, and by the
verdict OF the coroner's jury he is
charged with the murder of Luke Well
ba.."
"And you have no evidence in his
faYor?"
mo. He had lonely walk across the
moors. He met only one persona lady
We have advertised for her. but with
out success. II was dark when he reach
ed Arlston. and the only person he spoke
TO there is an old blind woman. who
cannot remember or identify him"
Iseult started as Mr.. Lockheart spoke.
ITO Arlston, What kind Of person did
he meet on the moor"
"She was a lady, he is positive. She
was singing an old song, and he Joined
in. It struck him as odd that she should
be out alone at that hour"
AS Mr.. Lockheart spoke Herbert An
struther entered the conservatory in
search of his cousin. He was tall,
good looking young man. whose blond
mustache slightly concealed the some
what disagreeable expression OF his
mouth.
This is our dance. Iseult," he said.
Il can't go now-you must excuse