The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-09-28

ready TO race armies In which he Tel
to be the cause of justice.
"The first statement is that you are
| absolutely assured; on evidence known
to you, that am the murderer of my
| uncle" 4
Il shall not retract that statement
Mr.. Brangwyn," said Billery.
Very we'll, sir" said Aloysius. as
calmly as ever. I'm that case you
shall learn at what value court Of
law will assess your evidence"
He took his hat and, with faint in
clination of his head to Truscott
turned to go.
Wait a bit" said Billery. 1T might
interest you, perhaps, to learn what is
within my knowledge"
1T would certainly interest me very
much indeed" said Aloysius, facing
round again.
You swore at the inquest that you
were not in London at the time OF
your uncles disappearance. You were
seen here on the very night on which
your victim was last seen alive. The
body was concealed in the clay of the
colossal statue on which you after.
ward worked, but which your cousin
Alexis had begun"
"Ah!" said Aloysius. The sound
escaped him Involuntary, and for a
moment that TRANSIENT look of fear
which Truscott had noticed at their
first interview flashed into his eyes.
"a shrewd supposition, Mr.. Billery,'
he said, but based on what?"
Based on the facts" said Billery.
chat the body was in state of pres
ervation when first seen, that the
floor OF the cellar was deeply covered
with modelling clay when the water
was pumped out of it, and that a
workof art of considerable value has
totally and mysteriously disappeared.
That touches you, Mr.. Brangwyn.
You take 1t well, but you can't with.
draw that startled exclamation"
NO." said Aloysius, as calmly as
before. you startled me, certainly.
But there is one point of interest. How
am l indicted in the matter?"
You are indicted by the fact that
just before your uncle's death the old
man had decided to disinherit you
and had given instructions to that
effect to his solicitor"
''These are the statements which in.
duced you to assist this gentleman in
his inquiry, Mr.. Truscott?" asked
Aloysius.
These are the statements which
appeared to me to justify inquiry
Truscott answered.
"You compel me to acknowledge that
they do appear to justify inquiry
But they do not Justify the assertion
that I am guilty of my ulcle's death
They form chain of suspicious cir.
cumstances. If they did more sup
pose that should before now have
been upon trial for my life. I pre-
sumo from the courage with which MI
BiAery advances them to me that he
believes them still"
Eyes, Mr.. Brangwyn," said Billery
Il believe them still. I have retired
from this inquiry and am willing to
let sleeping dogs lie, If you are. You
need fear no further assault from me
for l have given my word to you.
cousin that will not attempt hence
forth to cast stain upon the name he
BEARS"
you have given that assurance t.
my cousin?"
"At his urgent request" said Billery
II am indebted to him for many
acts of kindness, and, when all is saii
and done, had fulfilled my duty wher
I communicated my facts to the 20
lice"
1T is fortunate" said Augustus
"that so far as your suspicious attach
to me am in position to rebut then
all. l cannot complain that you have
held them, or that you still hold them
so long as do not choose, for goot
and sufficient reasons Of my own, Il
disarm them and sweep them out o
being. have borne my burden nov
! for seven years, and must bear I
still. / came. here in the belief tina
you had acted wantonly and malicious
ly in answer to some imagined slight
believe that We share common an
tfpathy, but I owe you no grudg,
now that understand the grounds OF
which you acted. Yet I trust, for m,
own sake and for yours, that you vii
allow yourself to be governed by dis
erection in the future. You Will accep
my warning, not being offered In ,
spirit Of enmity or anger, but as com
ing from, one whose patience has beef
tried 80 long that It Is near the break
ing point"
THAT for your warming" erie,
Billery, swapping his fingers In ashusl
Of hatred and contempt. i've givel
my promise to Alexis, and / shal
keep It. not out Of any fear Of you o
your blessed law libel, but because
promise to q friend Ii sacred"
/ = shall rest content In that .ass,is
ance, and, in-your own phrase, cir, /
am willing to let sleeping dogs lie. i
wish you good day Mr.. Truscott."
III. Good day, Mr.. BranEwyn,' ~ y m
swered Truscott, and without anothe
WORD on either side Aloysius LETT til,
room and walked 81 seeming Tranquil
|tty down the stairs. d:
Did you ever see y fellow 5brAxei
III