The San Francisco call., 1906-09-09

detective forces in London tried to
find the boy, but could not. Yet on
his evidence turned the whole case
And all this time George Kerris, in
the NARROW prison, refused to open
his mouth. Most people believed him
TO be guilty on the evidence of the
boots; but Hagar. en- the evidence OF
the pawning, insisted tuat he was in
nocent. Still, she could not understand
why he held his tongue at such a
crisis
It has been stated several times that
Hagar found her life in the pawnshor
extremely dull, and seized every OPP
portunity to gain for herself little
diversion. chance of amusement in
.unraveling the mystery of the boots
offered itself now, and this she was
resolved to take. Also the conduct OF
the case would necessitate triI
into the country; and, weary of the
narrow streets of Lambeth, HagaI
eagerly desired a breath of fresh air
She left the shop in charge of an ell
derby man, who had been her assist
ant since Bolker's departure. and took
the train to NARROW. When she arrived
there. Julf, more solemn than ever
met her at the railway station.
Good day." said he quietly You
see, l have agreed to let you assist me
in finding out the truth of this case
though to my mind the truth Is al
ready plain enough"
II don't believe it, Mr.. Julf. Take my
word for it, George Kerris is inno-
cent of the crime"
rs he?" said Julf in skeptical tones
"then who is guilty?"
THAT is what 1 have come to find
out" retorted Hagar. Il am obliged &c
you for letting me help you, though, te
be sure, I do so only to crafty my
own curiosity. But you won't repent OF
your concession. I am to have a free
hand?"
"You can = exactly as you like
Can I? Then ] shall first call and
see the new baronet,"
Refusing the offer of Julf to accom-
pany her on the plea that she could
execute her business better alone,
Hagar walked to Welby Park, which
was on the other side of NARROW. and
asked to see Sir Lewis Crane. At first,
owing to her gypsy-like appearance
she was refused admittance, but on
mentioning that her business had to
do with the murder. of the late
Baronet, Sir Lewis consented to see
her When face to face with him,
Hagar, for reasons of her own, exam
ined him closely.
He was an tugly. elderly little
creature, many years older than his
dead cousin, and had a mean yellow
face, stamped with an expression of
avarice. Hagar had seen just SUCK
another pinched, cunning look on the
face of Jacob Dix, and she knew with
out much trouble that the man before
her was a miser. However, she wasted
no time in analyzing his character
knowing that it would reveal itself In
the forthcoming conversation-but at
once mentioned her business.
II am come on the part of Mr.. Julf
to see about this murder" she said
curtly.
Sir Lewis raised his eyes. II did
not know that the government em-
ployed lady detectives," was his re-
mark.
Il am not a detective. but the owner
of the shop in which the boots of
George Kerris were pawned.'
The boots which prove his guilt.
said Crane with an air of relief which
did not escape Hagar.
II rather think that they prove his
innocence" was her cold reply.
"Oh, you are talking about them
having been given to that tramp when
Kerris was in prison. | know all
about that, as the detective told 1t to
me- But, all the same, Kerris is guilty
else he would deny his guilt
Have you any idea why he does not
do SOP
Crane shrugged his shoulders NO;
unless II is that he knows himself to
be guilty"
Il believe him to be iHnocent'
"Fshaw. My cousin admired Laura
Brenton, who was engaged to Kerris
and was foolishly attentive to her. On
that score the man was insolent; SO
Leslie discharged him. In committing
the murder he took a double revenge.
Where were you, Sir Lewis, when
your cousin was killed?s
In the park replied the Baronet
frankly. After dinner my cousin and