The Washington herald., 1906-11-29
CHAPTER vIII.t
Rernard,s Enemies.

| known widely as a hard, gripping man
/ fet his tragic fate, and a certain pity,
| therefore, had drawn together large
| concourse of people. Distant relatives
| who hoped 10 be mentioned in the will
were present clothed in deepest black
although they cared very little for the
| dead Julius. who already regarded him
self as in possession of Gore Hall was
there with a long face and a satisfied
heart. He was glad that he had inherited
the wealth after which he had long
hungered, and glsdder still that his rival
Bernard, was dead with a stain on his
name. In fancied security he moved
along. not knowing what retribution was
in store for him. Even the plying an
gels must have laughed at his complacen-
cy.
Durham. as the solicitor and executor
Of the dead man, was present and directed
operations. Commission had gone to Cove
Castle to see Bernard and hear his story:
and Durham smiled as his eyes rested on
the SNUG face Of the presumed heir.
There was no love lost between the two
men, and Julius privately determined
that, when In possession Of the property.
he would place the legal business in the
hands OF another solicitor. The young
lawyer guessed somewhat Of this. and
smiled ironically as he thought how this
spite would be frustrated
From far and near people were gath
cred. for the murder had made a great
stir. Every one united In condemnlng
Bernard and not one person In the throng
thought him innocent Lucy was weeping
alone at the Hall, with Mrs. GilrOy offer
ing her such cold comfort as she could
think Of. For the girl was truly sorry
Tor her cousin, although she believed him
10 be guilty. But her theory was that
Bernard had been gOaded into committing
the rash act by the bitter tongue Of his
grandfather IL was a matter of dlsa-
Ereement between her and julius that
she should so mourn the downfall and
death Of Bernard. He reprOviugly ad-
vised her 10 keep her tears for Sir Simon.
from whose death both were likely 10
derive benefit. But Lucy. in spite OF
BeryIs evil Influence. which had rather
warped her better nature, persisted In
weeping for the miserable cousin who had
so suddenly been cut of in the midst
Of his wickedness. At least that-in the
face Of cirCUmstanCes-was the view she
took IN the matter
And Alice remained at The Bower. talk
ing over the death with Miss Planta-
genet Her joy, when the old lady re-
turncd with the good news that Bernard
was yet alive, had been painful to wit
ness. She wished TO go NJ once to Cove
Castle, bat this Miss Berengaria. bv
Durham's advice, would not permit.
Suspicion might be excited. so it was de-
a. q rr
II his own castle. as that would seem
a natural thing 10 do. The merest sus-
ptci0n that Bernard was alive and in
hiding would set The blOodhounds Of the
law on the trail and Beryl would be the
FIRST TO loose them Therefore Alice
waited at home with Miss Bereugaria
until the funeral was over. Then they
intended TO go to the Hall to hear the
will read.
Miss Berengaria had some idea OF the
punishment that awaited Julius. and
would not have been absent fo- half Of
her income. She detested the young man
with all the virulence Of her honest ma
ture. And she insisted on Alice coming
also, although the girl was unwilling.
This again was by Durham's advice. RE
wanted both ladies 10 understand exactly
how matters stood II would save him
since he and the two ladies and C0nnis- /
ton were bent upon proving Bernardo $
innocence, Durham wanted an who could
be spared-which did not include Con
niston-to be present. so as 20 daunt Ber-
nard's enemies. Should Julius lose his
temper over the will IL was probable
that ne might say something likely to
aEord a C!eW 10 the true assassin. And
then Mrs. Gilroy was an enemy also, and I
she might be unguHrded in her speech. ]
Durham had a vague idea that both
knew more than they admitted As TO 1
Lucy, it was impossible to say whether 1
she was friendly or hostile.
Sir SimOn's body was duly inferred. /
and he left all his wealth behind him
to take up his abode in the dark vault 1
After the service several people fingered /
IN the graveyard but the majority. think /
ing the spectacle was at an end. made /
haste 20 60. Julius, with Durham, re-
turned in the carriage, and the rest of 4
the relatives followed, focking like vul- /
lures 10 the feast. While in the car
riage Durham thought he would see If |
Julius suspected that Bernard had es-
capped.
You have not heard If Cores body
has been found?" he asked.
No" sa:d Beryl, raising his pale eyes
and looking Is sad as any owl. Il fear
he is dead in his sin"
You can't be sure if he did sin. Mr..
BeryL"
The jury thought So"
y jury is not always infallible."
Il think the case had a fair hearing.
Alr, Durham. SO far as I am concerned.
should have been pleased had the YER
1ict been otherwise. It is not pleasant |
Cr to I.,v ,T.sf ]
4 crime. But since he is dead let HE
evil rest with him. You Will not hear
me say a word against his memory"
added the virtuous julius.
Perhaps it will be as we'll replied
Durham, dryly. You never we're friend
Of Bernard"
An the more praise to me that I should
not run him down"
Tell me, Beryl. do you really believe
he committed the crime?"
II answered that Indirectly before Yes.
believe he was guilty"
Then it is just as well he Is dead"
Just as well,T asserted Beryl. quickly
You don't think he can have escaped?"
Julius started. What makes you think
io?' he demanded Uneasily.
Well, you see. Bernard was a good
and
Inc DeSL SWIMMER III Jlt WuIlQ COul0
10 nothing against the current of the
Thames on a foggy night On a fine day
dare say he might have gained the op-
)osite bank, but in the fog he must have
.ireied round and round until he was ex-
lausted"
Yet his clothes were discovered on the +,
)ank,' persisted Durham. Il wonder.
{ I offered a reward. would anything be
His corpse might" said Beryl unpleas-
ntly. but no reward shall be offered
Better let sleeping dogs lie.
But surely, Mr., Beryl, If you inherit