Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-03-08

ner, 90 you mean TO say they nave
not told you what happened in tho
park"
THAT will require a special sit
ting" said Brett gaily. Meanwhile,
I am going to the Hall suppose
you do not care to accompany mo.
Humeg'
II do not"
The reply was so emphatic that II
created further merriment.
We'll, tell me quickly what this
secret is," exclaimed Mrs. Eastman,
because in Ave minutes must have
long talk with my cook. She has to
prepare pies and pastry sufficient to
dren next Monday. and It is a matter
Of much calculation"
Brett took his leave.
81 knew that good old soul would
be tactful." he said to himself. Now
] wonder how Winter made such n
colossal mistake as to imagine that
Hume murdered his cousin. He was
girl; he could not succeed to the
property: he has declined to take up
the title. What reason could he have
for committing such crime?"
Then a man walked up the road--a
man dressed like farmer or grazier,
rotund, strongly-built, cheerful-look-
ing He halted opposite Mrs. East
hams house, where the barrister still
stood drawing on his gloves
Yes" said Brett aloud, you are
an egregious ass, Winter"
why. Mr.. Brett?" asked the UNI
abashed detective. "Isn' t the make
up good"
1T is the makeup that always
leads You astray You never theorize
above the level of the Police Ca
zctte."
Mr.. Winter yielded to not unnat-
url annoyance. With habitual eau
ton. he glanced around to assure
himself that no other person was
within earshot; then he said vehe-
mently:
81 tell You, Mr.. Brett. that swine
killed Sir Alan Hume frazer"
"You use strong language
Not stronger than he deserves"
what are you doing here"
81 heard he was in London. and
watched him. saw him go to your
chambers and guessed what was up.
so came down here to see YOU and
I tell YOU what know"
out of pure good nature?"
You can believe it or not. Mr..
Brett. II Is the truth"
''Ie has been tried and acquitted.
He cannot be tried again Does Scot
land Yard
Tin on my holidays"
Brett laughed heartily.
II see" he cried. "A 'bus-driyer's
holiday. For how long?"
Fourteen days"
you are nothing if not profess
sional. suppose it was not your
first offence, or they might have let
you off with a fine"
! The detective enjoyed this depart
mental joke. He grinned broadly.
| Anyhow, Mr., Brett" he said
you and have been engaged on too
/ many smart bits of work for me to
stand quietly and let you be made q
tool Of"
, The barrister came nearer. and
! said, in low tone:
Winter. You have never been
more mistaken in your life. Now, at
! tend to my words If you help me
you will, in the first place, be we'll
! paid for your services. Secondly, you
will be able to place your hand on
the true murderer of Sir Alan Hume
Frazer, or J will score my first fail
ure. Thirdly. Scotland Yard will
give you another holiday, and | car
secure you some shooting in Scot
/ land. What say YOU"
The detective looked thoughtful
Long experience had taught him MOI
to argue with Brett when the latter
was in earnest
Il will do anything In my power.
he said, but there is more In this
business than perhaps you are aware
of--moro than ever transpired at The
Assizcs'
Quite so. and a good deal tina
has transpired since. Now. Winter
don't argue. there's a good fellow
Go and engage the landlord of thu
local inn in a discussion on crops.
am off to Beechcroft Hall. Mr. Hume
and | will call for you on our wa.
back to Stowmarket. In our privat'
sitting-room at the hotel there ! vii
explain everything"
They parted. Brett was prompt,
admitted by Mrs. Grove, and walke'
rapidly up the avenue.
Winter watched his retreating fig
ure.
Hes smart. l know he's smart.
unused the detective. But he doesn'
know everything about this affair
He doesn't know, III be bound, tina
David Hume-FraZer waited for HI
cousin that night outside the library
didn't know it--worse luck, unit
after he was acquitted. And h
doesn't know that Miss Nellie Layto
didn't reach home until 100 am
though she left the bail at - IT
and her house is, so to speak, min
ute's walk distant. And she was In
carriage. Oh, there's more in thi
case than meets the eye. l can't sa
which would please me most. to I'm
out the real murderer, II Hum
didn't do 1t. or prove Mr.. Brett to b
In the wrong!"