Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-02-09

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"Irctond! on, no, that Is Impossible ~
him. In handing them TO Lord Der
rington he might have forgotten one"
IT'S improbable"
II don't think SO. 1t was a chance.
I think. at first. hut when he knew
that Mrs. Jersey occupied the house
he might have found the latchkey use.
full to see her when he felt inclined.
l dare say she tried to get money out
Of him again.
"Rut he refused her."
"He did--oncc," said Dawdsey mean-
ingly. but Mr.. ireland was not SO
young az he had been and dreaded lest
his--accident should be known. I'm
sure Mrs. Jersey would let him know
that she was just round the corner.
She always Kept in touch with useful
friends"
But why should he kill her so sud.
dcnly?"
"Well. he might have heard that she
had written out confession. or even
about Lord Derrington's visit. And
then he would come round TO ask her
if she had incriminated him in her
confession. He would ask her for i
sight of it. Not having ii. for she
found the blue envelope empty after
Lola left. she would deny that she had
it, The stilctto left by Lola would he
on the table. What was more natural
than for Ireland to pick 1t up and
kill her in sudden feeling OF dread?'
1T strikes me that il he struck the
blow he mad q great deal Of nerve"
said George dryly. But you go on u
lot of suppositions. do not believe
Mr.. ireland had anything to do with
the matter"
Then who had:' asked the detec'
tive. s9-'
"Wha. would you say to Margery:'
What, the niece-that half witted
girl?'
Exactly. Half wittcd. She is more
like an animal than anything human
She gets these sudden fits Of rage
When Miss Bull tainted Margcry rush
ed in and threatened me with her fists
Seeing what an uncomfortable temper
she had. it occurred to me that she
might have killed her aunt
But Miss Bull says that the aun
locked the girl in her roOm."
"Of course. but Miss Bull may know
the truth and may be shielding Mar
gerry. What if Mrs. Jersey found Mar
gerry down the stairs after Lola wa
gone and instead of rebuking her IA
Miss Bull said in the passage"
".At II o'clock. mind
| Later, ] think" said George quick
~. "You did not arrive till nearly T.
and the woman was just dead
II don't think Il few minutes wOpl,
make much difference" said Bawdse.
quietly. But go on. sir. Let me hea
your theory"
We'll, | fancy that Mrs. Jcrsc,
caught Margery down the stairs an,
took her into her own room TO rcbuk
her quietly. so that the rest Of tn
house might not hear: also she woul
be anxious to learn If the girl had over
heard her conversation with Lola.
Margery had abe would assuredly hav
told Miss Bull. Mrs. Jersey would b
afraid OF that. and l dare say sh
stormed at Margery to make he
speak
But there could have been no row
sir. No one heard Il disturbance"
II am bound To say I did not hea
a disturbance myself" said George n
dectively. "Alrs. Jersey may have a.
gued quietly. Then. rs you say, til
g0aded into action, might with I'll
sudden rage OF Il dumb animal have
We'll, it's not impossible. But abo,
the door closing:"
When Margery saw what she La
DONE" pursued George. still trying
guess what had taken place. her lir'
impulse would he to run away. 81
would steal out and open the door.
am pretty sure Miss Bull was ON IL
watch and saw her. She would dra'
the girl back and close the door;
half past II, as Train heard. Then ST
would pacify Margery and lock her
her bedroom, after previously instruc
ing her what to say next mornin
That IL what I believe. Bawdsey."
ITS n very pretty case" murmurt
the detective, land things might ha,
happened as You say. But il it is Il
'. case there IL not much chance Of lear
ing the truth. Both Margery and Mi
Bull will be silent. And. after all. n
theory regarding Ireland is just I
good. Mr.. BrendOn."
George rose to go. "Stick to 20,
theory and I'll stick to mine," he sal
smiling But what about LOla?"
"Weli, sir. Ill 80 down with Ko'
laski and see her. We will do whu
!, ever we can to yet her out Of IL
trouble. And you, sir
"Oh. I shall have nothing more to ,
with Lola. Take her away to Il
States 40 your wife. Bawdsey. and
will get my grandfather to give "
tho thousand pounds 10 start life on
ITS very good Of you, SIR" 50
! Bswdssy gratefully. And you "
). try to persuade her to marry me?"
"Yss. she knows. 80 ] told her. thi
n register or no register. my grandfath
intends to recognise me AZ his he
h Therefore she IN certain. ~ sue M
: | we'll lie that | shall marry Miss VA