The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-12-21
CHAPTER xx,v.-(continued.)

0SS0ASluSS JH0y uAt1uc plOpdAolAo AVA
departure by the next homeward train.
This necessitated somewhat hurried
toilette for the ladies. but they were
ready in time. The journey was made
in silence for the most part, and in a
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 beneficent wind has blown you
hcre?"
ga benficent wind, indeed" she an
swered, with a proud and confident
smile "Mr. and Mrs. Billery are
known to you already. Will you give
us three few minutes of your time?"
Willingly" he answered. Come
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 friend, and that
1 withdraw every uncivil word l ever
said to ye. Ye have me apologies, Mr..
Brangwyn, and hope yell not throw
them back at me, though We have the
right to do it,"
1T would be a grave offense 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"
Il have tried to make my amends
already, sir" said Billery. Miss Lee
will explain the reason for my intru-
sion"
Il told you that a beneficent wind
had blown me here" said Lillian. ut
is wind to raise the cloud which has
rested over you so long and scatter it
to all the other winds of heaven.
Aloysius, dear friend"-she laid both
hands upon his shoulders and looked
up into his eyes-"there is one sharp
trial before you and then the thing is
over. You will be arrested tomorrow
Tor the murder of your uncle
"Ah!" he sighed as Billery had once
heard him sigh before. cat last! At
last! I have dreaded this for many
years, and since the day first entered
this house have known that it was
certain. I have prayed that it might
be averted, and l. 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
oocence," said Lillian.
THAT is true" he answered. But
am at loss to know how Mr.. Billery
became aware of the fact"
Il had it from Alexis, who told me
that he himself had seen it,
"Ah!" he sighed again. - 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.
II told him that he would make the
error Of his lifetime" he continued,
"and that should feel it my duty to
see that he did not find you unpre-
pared. He said that was quite free
to tell you, and that you were under
surveillance.
II have been aware of that. Might
trouble you so far, Mr.. Billery, as to
ask you to walk into the road, and to
see if there is a man in sight who
wears a light drab overcoat, a brown
bowler hat, and 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.
81 am going to clear myself he re
sponded. "But, my dearest, shall
strike blow in doing it at the heart
of one I would fain shelter from all
harm. kept silent at first because
had no more than strong suspicion
have kept silent since for the sake o.
that dear friend For that friend
would die right willingly, but cannot
consent to die igno,niniously, and tt
leave the name Of murderer behind
me-"
"Billery was back again.
Il found the fellow almost at the
gate. Il gave him your message, and
never saw man SO utterly fabber
gasted in my life. He's going to givt
himself np?' he said. No. said, i
have brought him news from Sergeant
Holt, whom left yesterday in Paris
that he's to be arrested tomorrow
gave my card and with that he recog
Missed me. He says he cant let yol
60 unless he travels In the same car
( rage" q.
lss s'He's, welcome to do that. / shout,
IKE ron all to come with me. Thu
4.