The San Francisco call., 1906-09-09

Whitechapel and will send him down
here tomorrow. If he can swear that
Sir Lewis gave him the boots I shall
get warrant out for that mans ar
rest
.I believe he is guilty" said Hagar in
altogether sure"
why not? There Is certainly a
strong case against him."
Yes, yes: but why, if Sir Lewis Is
guilty. should Kerris keep silent, and
not declare his innocence? I must see
the man and find out. Can get into
the jail?'
III take you there myself tomor-
row morning" replied Julf. II should
like to know the reason Of his silence
also. 1t can't be love OF Sir Lewis as
makes him hold his tongue"
NO; that is what puzzles me. After
all, like Kerris, the baronet may be
innocent"
Julf shook hfs head. It can't think
where you will find a third party on
which to lay the guilt-unless," he
added, with an Lfterthought, you
blame the Irish boy who pawned the
boots.
TT may be even him" said Hagar.
seriously But we'll know tomorrow. I
fancy Kerris, Sir Lewis. Micky--heml
1 wonder which of the three killed that
poor young man."
Hagar thought over this problem for
an hour or so, .nen, not being able
to solve it, she put it out of her head
for the night. As for Julf. he was so
much impressed by Hagars cleverness
in finding the pistol and constructing
case against SIR Lewis-whom he now
began TO believe was guilty-that the
next morning, before taking her to see
George Kerris In prison, he conducted
her to an outlying farm.
Laura Brenton lives here he said.
ASK her about Sir Lewis and see IL
we can strengthen the case against
him."
Laura was fine, tall. handsome girl,
somewhat masculine in her looks, but
at the present moment she seemed III
and appeared haggard-which was no
wonder. seeing that one OF her lovers
was dead and the other In prison How
ever she was quite willing TO answer
Hagar's questions, and declared most
emphatically that Kerris was innocent.
He wouldn't kill a hyr' said she.
weeping, although he was angry with
me for meeting Sir Leslie; but / never
saw any harm in doing so.
Opinions differ" said Hagar, coldly.
not approving OF this morality You
met Sir Leslie on the night OF the
MURDER
IL didn't" stammered the girl,
fercely. who says so?"
''Sir Lewis. He told me that his
cousin left him in the park-after their
quarrel--to see you by the Queens
pool"
This Laura denied fatty. Il went
into NARROW on that evening to buy
some ribbon she explained, but
never went near Welby Park. Sir Lewis
is liar and a murderer"
"A murderer? Why should he mur-
der his cousin?' asked Hagar. SHARPLY.
Because he loved me. and | would
have nothing to say to him.
You loved Sir Leslie?"
II did notr' biazed out the girl,
wrathfully. II loved neither OF them.
but only George Kerris He Is innocent
and Sir Lewis is guilty. l believe he
killed his cousin with the pistol Sir
Leslie gave him.
What do you know about that pis-
tol?''
why" explained Laura. quietly, IT
went TO Welby Park with father to
pay the rent. and in the library. on the
table. there was a pistol with a silver
plate on 1t. Sir Lewis-he was not the
baronet then-told me that Sir Leslie
had given 1t TO him, and showed me
his own name on the plate. AS Sir
leslie was shot with a pistol. believs
Sir Lewis did It,"
But had not George Kerris a pistol
also?'
Yes; an old thing that wouldn't fre
straight tried IL myself at a target
which George set up on the farm"
The pistol isn't in Georges house"
Il don't know where IL Is. then" said
the girl, indifferently; but I am sure
OF one thing, that George Is innocent.
Oh, try and get him out of jailw
And Sir LOWS hansed?" said Hagar
dryly.
vyes! cried Laura. sasrcely; he's a