The San Francisco call., 1906-09-09

L
he made some excuse to leave, as l be-
lieve he wished to meet Laura by the
Queens pool. 1 walked in the oppo-
site direction, and shortly afterward
/ came back to the house Leslie had
not. returned, so l went back to look
for him and found his dead body by
the pool
Did you hear the pistol shot?'
Yes. but | paid no attention to it
My cousin was in the habit of nring al
a target. and 1 thought he might be
doing so them
What! Firing at a target in the
twilight? Could your cousin see In the
dark. like cat?" said Hagar with
irony.
II don't know anything about that.
retorted Crane snappishly. II have
told you the story, as you represent the
detective Julf. / say no more
II don't want you to say more. May
I go and look at the pond?"
Certainly. One of the servants shall
show it to YOU"
Cant you come yourself?" said Ha-
gar with a keen glance.
Crane drew back, and his yellow face
grew pale. NO" said he in an al
most inaudible voice. II have seen
enough of that horrible placer
Very good I'll go with the SER
want" replied Hagar, and marched
toward the door,
What do you want to see the pool
for?' he asked, following.
Il wish to find the lost pistol"
When Hagar had taken her depart
ure Sir Lewis, pale and nervous. stood
near the open window. "Confound this
woman!" he thought, clenching his
hand. She is far too clever, but ]
don't think she'll be quite clever
fiy,a ~
satisfied tone
The Queens pool was a circular
sheet of water filed with lilies at the
lower end of the park. On the way
thereto Hagar asked the servant who
was guiding her Few questions.
was Sir Lewis poor before he got
the estate?" she demanded.
Very poor, miss; hadn't sixpence
but what he got from SIR Leslie"
Was he on good terms with his
cousin"
NO. miss, they were quarreling fear
full On the night of the murder they
had row royal"
WHAT about?" asked Hagar, turning
Keen look on the man.
About money and that gal Laura
Sir Lewis loved her just as much as Sir
Leslie, but she didn't care a straw for
either of them, being taken up with
Kerris"
How does she take her lovers ar
rest?"
Why, miss, she cries and cries, and
swears that he is innocent and talks
nonsense"
What kind of nonsense? There
may be some sense in it?
dursn't tell you, miss, said the
servant casting hurried look around;
1T I'D be as much as my place is
worth"
oh. l understand" said Hagar
serenely; this Laura says that Sir
Lewis killed his cousin
Yes, sheedo," replied the man aghast
at her penetration; but how could you
guess, miss, is more
Never mind" said Hagar, cutting
him short as they arrived at the pool
was committed?'
Yes, miss; we found the body there
In the mud, and just beside 1t the
marks of the boots
{ Hagar reflected. and asked another
question Did Sir Lewis ever visit
Kerris?r
He did. miss. just two days afore
the murder-went to see him about
some game
oh, did he?" murnlured Hagar to
herself. i think there was something
more than game in that visit
Of this she said nothing to the man,
who stood on the bank, watching her
searching about the place The pool
was filled with clear water and the
lilies fioated placidly. Hagar peered in
to see Ii there was any trace of the
pistol used to kill Sir Leslie; but, al
though the water was crystal clear,
and she searched csrefully. not sign
of weapon could she see. The grass
round the pool was close shorn. and
some little distance up the slope
stretched . terrace with flight OF