Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-01-12

w II lrlcnu OF yours, WHO
Il knew It," interrupted Brendon,
starting up and beginning TO pace the
room. "That was why she asked
Leonard Train to dinner"
"She got out of him that you had
been in the sitting room of Mrs. Jersey
at midnight
"That is untrue" began George vio
lently, when Bnwdsey stopped him.
80 it is. to Mrs. Ward. to Lord Der
rington and to the public: but. so far az
| am concerned, Mr.. Brcndon, it is a
fact. You were in Mrs. Jerseys room
about the time she was murdered.
"IIow can you prove that" asked
George quickly and very pale.
"Oh. | can prove it easily enough and
will soon. Put confess"
"rhat ] killed the woman? No; l
never laid finger on her"
81 believe that" said Bawdscy. "1f
! thought you were guilty should
~. not even then. You saved my life.
and I'm grateful
Il believe YOU are my friend said
George gloomily. sitting down.
"You would have been arrested by
now were not. Mr. Brcndon.'
NO tell you neither Mrs. Ward
nor Lord bennington will 80 so far.
They will try to intimidate me, but
they won't succeed"
You'll fight them?"
George set his face "Whilc there IS
breath in my body"
scr
said Bawdscy admiringly, but you
must be aware that your position is
pcrilous.'
"One moment" said Brendon. "Why
does Train believe that | was in Mrs.
Jerseys room?'
"lIe found beside the table a yellow
holly berry, and you wore
George started. Il did did" he
muttcrcd. 1T must have been brushed
off the sprig when ] stopped to touch
her
ALI said Bawdscy in voice of
triumph. "Then you admit you were
in the room!'
"Ycs. to you, but to no one else"
I'm glad you trust me SO far said
confidence is not misplaced, Mr.. Brcn-
don. And you saw Mrs. Jersey
Il saw her body. She was dead"
at what time was that
"About II O'clock
"Why did you not give the alarm"
"What:' George smiled derisively.
"You think should have put the rope
round my neck
NO. but well. no matter. We can
talk of that later But as to getting out
of this room when the door was lock-
cd:'
Il didn't get out of this room. Mr..
Bawdsoy. T.
"Nait a bit. Conc into the room
you slept ill.," said the detective, lead
ing the. way. Il have made discov-
cry"
Tie bedroom was in the same con
diton as when Brcndon had last seen
it, with the exception that the ward
robe was moved to one side The wall
ut the back, which divided the room
from the passage, appeared a blank,
but on touching Il spring a masked
door opened. Shelves were revealed
and it was evident that this door form
ed the back of cupboard that was in
the passage-a cupboard used by the
hOuScmaid, as was apparent from the
dust shovel and brooms lying within
it. For Il moment Bawdsey left the
door open and looked at Brendon with
quiet triumph. Then lie snapped the
door TO and the wall appeared in its
former blank condition. No one, with
out making close examination. would
| nave suspected the presence of that
| secret door. "a hOuScnaid might open
the cupboard door in the passage at
any time" explained Mr.. Bawdscy, ac-
! counting for his action, land it would
never do for her to look through the
/ back of the shelves into this room. She
might talk, Mr. Brendon, and then
there would be trouble. Bawd-
sey rubbed his nose and looked at the
astonished George-"I am sure there
| would be great trouble"
Il congratulate you on your clever
ness, Mr.. Bawdsey' said Brcndon
when he had somewhat recovered
lyon have discovered my secret.
should like to know how you discov-
cred it,
"Wcll." said Bawdsey, pushing the
wardrobe back to its place with an eff
fort, you see when ! learned through
the advertisement that George Bren-
don was the grandson of Lord Dcrring-
| ton ! told him of It, He related your
history
Including the murder of my IA
ther?'
Yes. including that" replied Bawd-
scy. with queer expression, but that
| has nothing to do with the matter in
hand, Mr.. Brcndon"
I'm not so sure" rctortcd George
Il should not lac ut all surprised to
find that Mrs Jersey was murdered to
keep her quiet on THAI point
"iIow do you make that outI"
"Well, she was in San Reno at the
time my father was murdered. She
| loved him, and dare say, in spite Of
| having been discharged, watched him
She might know who the lady in bite
But forgot, you are ignorant of all
these things
Not at all. Don't I tell you that
Lord Darlington told me the whole
story? | see what YOU mean. You
! think that Mrs. Jersey might know
who killed your father, and for the
committed the second murder"