Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-02-18
CHAPTER xxx.
~ Will Try.n

very softly, as thought fearful of dis
turbing the repose of the quiet sleep
er who lay AMONG them.
Cyril Darlington arrived from Lon
don by the noon train. With him were
some old friends of the dead man, who
! came II supol intend the final arrange
ments,. and accompany the remains
back to London, where they were to
be inferred in the family lot of the
Brackens.
Cyril, hurrying through the hall,
coated aud capped and travel stained,
came face to face with Cynthia Len
nox.
He suppressed the inclination he felt
to cry out at sight of her.
"Why!' he exclaimed, how wretch
ed you are looking!"
She looked up at him and shook her
head with faint laugh.
What, a compliment for a gallant
gentleman to pay!"
Il never pay you compliments" he
said, in low voice. II know you too
we'll to think you would accept such
dubious homage. But positively, you
arc looking i'll. All this excitement is
proving too much for you'll"
"0h, mol" with resolute brightness
u am quite well, indeed!"
But despite herself, she felt slight
thrill Of pleasure as she heard the
tender anxiety in his voice.
''How IS aunt?" he questioned.
"She is greatly shocked and de-
pressed. She has not left her own
room yet. What time do you take him
UP to London? see you have brought
strangers with YOU"
Eyes. We go up by the p. m.
train.''
To-day? Not to-day?"
ooh, yes, to-day. His friends insist.
OF course, as he was guest at Black
castle. / shall accompany them and re-
main till all is over
You will find lunch in the morning
room," she said, turning away. II
must go anu meet those gentlemen;
they look bewildered! Hospitality and
courtesy seem rarely themselves on
such an occasion as this!'
"Wait-I will introduce them" Cyril
said, turning to and walking with her
to where small group of gentlemen
were clustered by the great mullioned
window. talking in subdued accents.
They paused in their conversation
Il e;p -
thia.
. Cyril made them known individually
and the girl received them with the
easy, stately grace natural to her.
Half an hour later, she caught sight of
the chief of police as he passed through
the hall. She called to him. and he
called quickly at sound OF her voice.
She flung wide the door of the little
room at the foot of the stairs-the
room where Lady Darlington had told
Laurie Isle about the woman her son
had loved.
"Just a few moments, Mr.. Lynn. I
want particularly to speak to YOU
He came in, closing the door behind
him, closing the door behind him, and
stood before her, his hat in his hands,
respectfully attentive.
He listened during the first part Of
her rapid, direct. logical speech in
smiling incredality, now and then neg
atiyely shaAing his head. but as she
proceeded, the smiles and shakes grew
less frequent, and finally ceased alto
gether. He locked UP at her with deep
ening interest. Is.
'.You don't for one second suppose
that a frail slip Of a girl like Miss
Lisle-putting her personality out of
the ques4on could kill him. strong,
agile. athletic man? And If it. could be
proved. II,
Il well, about her being such a slip
OF a girl" Mr.. Lynn ruminale 81 don't
see that that is such a strong argu-
nlent. OF course, speaking as do
now, also put Miss Isles personal
lty out of the question Good heavens,
Miss Lennoy, you've no ideano idea
how strong a delicate woman can be
when the case at stake means the pay
ment OF an old grudge! We police
officers see enough of that sort OF
thing to make us chary OF our chari.
table suggestions Now, suppose he
was writing, and some one slipped
noislessly behind him with sharp
dagger
oh, Mr.. Lynn" the girl cried, i'm.
patiently; don't you see how improb-
able is all that which you are trying
TO force yourself to believe? There was
q struggle-,a sharp struggle. E:anrl
lsshe have foTone moment have reslstc 4
him when discovered? Ask $youyse
It, In the light Of common reason, such
s. suspicion sayors ever so slightly 81
probability s3a
..But if first. Wound led 3,
'sIIe was notsat first wounded r. shs
Iasserted convincedly. IL he. had beer
| there would have been blood stalns
round the room. 1t is q very large
department. and things are upset and
disturbed In the remotest corners
where tho frantic fight must have pen,
IHetrated, but sonly On and immed iately
around the spot where he, felix's there
/ Ii cd ely Iii Al