Ladysmith news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-22
CHAPTER xxIv.-(continued.)


complete silence they walked from the
village station. 1t happened that
Aloysius was standing at the window
which looked out upon the pathway,
and seeing Lillian in the act of enter
ing he ran to encounter her upon the
threshold. He met her with his custo-
mary smile of melancholy and affec-
ton.
welcome, and twice welcome.
What benefcent wind has blown you
here?"
"a benficent wind, indeed" she an
swered, with proud and confident
smile "Mr. and Mrs. Billery are
known to you already. Will you give
us three few minutes of your timer
Willingly" he answered. Come
in
He shook hands courteously and no
more, but Belle retained his hand with
a firm grasp.
I'D like We to know, Mr.. Brangwyn,
that come here as a friend, and that
I withdraw every uncivil word | ever
said to we. Ye have me apologies, Mr..
Brangwyn, and hope yell not throw
them back at me, though We have the
right to do it,
ct would be a grave ofense in
deed" he answered, cordially, (which
would not be wiped out by so candid
and kind an appeal, Mrs. Billery.
am very pleased to see you under my
roof"
81 have tried to make my amends
already, sir,' said Billery. Miss Lee
will explain the reason for my intru-
sion"
81 told you that a benefcent wind
had blown me here" said Lillian. 1T
is a wind to raise the cloud which has
rested over you so long and scatter 1t
to all the other winds Of heaven.
Aloysius, dear friend'-she laid both
hands upon his shoulders and looked
I'D into his eyes-'there is one sharp
trial before you and then the thing is
over. You will be arrested tomorrow
for the murder of your uncle"
"Ah!" he sighed as Billery had once
heard him sigh before. "At last! At
last! I have dreaded this for many
wears, and since the day first entered
this house I have known that 1t was
certain. I have prayed that it might
be averted, and I take heaven to wit
ness that have suffered in striving to
avert it. Well, the truth must out and
guilt must suffer"
'Mr. Billery tells me that you have
an incontestable proof of your own in
nocence,' said Lillian.
THAT is true" he answered. But
am at a loss to know how Mr.. Billery
became aware of the fact
81 had it from Alexis, who told me
that he himself had seen it,
"Ah!" he sighed again. Il under
stand But tell me, now, how comes it
YOU are aware that the police will take
action tomorrow? They are not in
the habit of publishing fact like
that"
Thereupon Billery told the story OF
his association with Sergeant Holt,
and of their encounter in Paris on
the previous day.
'T told him that he would make the
error of his lifetime" he continued,
land that I should feel it my duty to
see that he did not find you unpre-
pared. He said that I was quite free
to tell you, and that you were under
surveillance.
81 have been aware of that Might
trouble you so far, Mr.. Billery, as to
ask YOU to walk into the ROAD, ana 10
sae if there is a man in sight VINO
wears a light drab overcoat, a brown
bowler hat. and a wisp of dirty red
comforter"
"If he is there?" asked Billery.
Tell him, please, to hold himself IN
readiness to accompany me to Scot
land Yard"
"Right!" said the other. and was
gone upon the instant.
"You are going to clear yourself!,
cried Lillian.
"I am going to clear myself" he re-
snonded. "But, my dearest, shail
strike a blow in doing it at the heart
of one I would fain shelter from all
harm. I kept silent at first because
had no more than strong suspicion.
have kept silent since for the sake OF
that dear friend. For that friend |
would die right willingly, but | cannot
consent to die ANONYMOUSLY, and to
leave the name of murderer behind
me-"
"Billery was back again.
at found the fellow almost at the
gate. I gave him your message, and
never saw a man SO utterly f1abber-
gasted in my life. He's going to give
himself up?' he said. NO. | said, l
have brought him news from Sergeant
Holt whom I left yesterday in Paris,
that he's to be arrested tomorrow l.
gave my card and with that he recog-
Missed me. He says he can't let you
go unless he travels in the same car
r;.oo" s#ig
Hes welcome to do that. / should
like you all to come with me. The
ladies can travel in another compart-
ment, but you and I, Mr.. Billery, can
fumigate the fellow with a good Ha-
vana. You smoke know. Excuse me
whilst dress for out of doors"
DC If