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

THAT Is entirely my business" said
George placidly. You will gain moth
ing by insolence. Bawdscy."
The man rose with wounded air.
| Upon my word, Mr.. vane," he said.
giving George his correct name TO
show that he recognized his new no.
sition, IL have not the slightest inten.
tion or being insolent. am glad for
your sake that things are as they are
and pleased for my own, since Lola
may now give up thoughts of you and
turn 10 me-"
THAT'S all very well. Bawdscy," said
Brendon quietly. "You profess n great
friendship for me, but how can trust
youy"
why should you doubt me-" asked
Bawdsey. still wounded.
II can only Judge the future by tho
past, and since you are quite rcodv to
play Lord Darlington false"--
"Who says that?" cried the man.
sitting down.
Il say so. Lord Darlington has told
me ALL"
ali WHAT" demanded Bawdsey.
wlIfully ignorant.
"All that took place on the night
when you came to this house 10 i'm.
personatc him
Bawdsey laughed. and his face clear.
ed. IF that is your disagreeable bust
ness, sir, l can easily put that to
rights"
can you explain why you drugged
him. why you threatened him."
II did not threaten him
Lord Darlington informed me that
you Threatened to get him into trouble
That was why he consulted mo. ard
that IS why | have come 10 tel! YOU
that if you fight Lord Darlington you
will fight ne Also
Don't press too hard. Mr.. Ercndon
I am willing to do YOU a service. and
you IRE misjudging me-" said Baw,i.
sey.
Il am willing to hear what you have
to say"
IF you are satisfied with my ex-
PLANTATION, will you cndcavor to get
Lola 10 marry me-
Il know nothing about you save
what my grandfather told me, and bis
report does not bias me in your favor"
Bawdscy shrugged his shoulders.
Lola is well abe to look after her
SELF he snid. Il think / mentioned
that before. But il you are satisfied
with what am about to tell you will
you help me-"
''Ili do my best" said George i'm
patiently. But l shall not advise her
to marry you unless you prove TO me
that you do not intend to biackmail
Lord berrington.''
Nothing was farther from my
thoughts" said Bawdscy earnestly. 1T
was to my interest that Your grand
father should hold his tongue about
my having been to this house,"
He would not have known had you
not told him Voluntarily
"Oh. yes, lie would have discovered
in some way. | thought it best to be
on the right side by confessing volun-
tarily what l had done. | said | could
get him into trouble-and admit that
1 did threaten him so far-simply to
make him hold his tongue"
AVu WeIt dlIdlO IcSI yOu SlOuIu NC
accused Of the crime:"
Bawdsey looked at George in sur
prise. That possibility never crossed
my mind" he replied calmly. Il GER
tainly did not kill the woman. DO you
think ! did, Mr.. Brendon:"
George shrugged his shoulders. 60
ing by circumstantial evidence
"Oh'-Bawdsey tipped away that
objection with snap of his fingers
that's all right; will explain. No.
Mr. Blendon; why wished Lord Der
rington 10 be silent was that | might
carry out my plans SO as to learn who
killed Mrs. Jersey"
Then you are looking after the
case"
ION behalf Of Lord Darlington. He
has an idea that the assassin became
possessed of Il confession which Mrs.
Jersey left behind her
"lIow do you know she left it:'
Because l knew Mrs. Jersey very
well, and. as l told you long since. /
was once boarder here. One day
she let slip that she had some one in
her power, and would leave the evil
Idence OF that power behind her so
that her niece might benefit. | told
this to Lord bennington. He insisted
that l should try to discover the as
sassin so as 10 get that confession,
which compromises him. back again.
To spur me on lie has promised ne 4
reward OF a thousand pounds should
obtain he confession and the convic-
ton of the assassin. AS | want money
to marry Lola, am doing my best.
came 10 live here for that purpose
Lord bennington talking of my visit to
the house on the night OF the crime
would have jeopardized my plans
therefore l was Obliged-as you say
10 threaten him so AS to make him
keep silent. SO far, do you blame me-
Mr. Brendon:"
NO" replied George. after some
thought, the end justifes the means.
But you might have adopted less ras.
cally means"
Il have not adopted any. have not
asked Lord Darlington for money. SO
l am not blackmailer; nor do / in.
tend to claim from him anything but
what is justly mine
And what Is justly yours, IL you
plcase|
"rhe reward OF $1,000 for the discov-
cry of the assassin"