The San Francisco call., 1906-09-09


these, at the lower end, were two pill
lars, bearing urns of marble sculptur-
ed in classic fashion with nymphs and
dancing fauns. In these bloomed scar
let geraniums. now in full flower, and
as Hagar, idly gazing around, caught
sight of the vivid blossoms an Idea en-
tered her head. Dismissing the man,
for whom she had no further use, she
moved swiftly toward the terrace, and
lifted one Of the pots out Of its marble
urn.
mo sign of pistol there" she said.
replacing the pot with sense of dis
appointment. II may be wrong. Let
me examine the other"
This time she was rewarded for her
shrewd guess. At the bottom of the
right hand urn, quite concealed by the
pot, she found a small pistol. On its
stock there was a silver plate, and on
that plate a name was engraved. At
the sight of this latter the eyes of Ha-
gar giistened with much satisfaction.
II thought So" said she to herself;
"and now TO tell Julf!"
The detective was waiting for her at
the park gates, and looked up expect
antly as she moved toward him with a
smile on her face. With grim satisfac-
tion she placed the pistol in his hand.
There is the weapon with which Sir
Leslie was killedw she said in tone
of triumph. II found it under the ger
anium pot in one of those urns. What
do you think of that?"
The pistol of Kerris!" said Julf.
quite amazed.
NO; not the pistol of Kerris. but of
the man who murdered Sir Leslie"
"Kerris," repeated Julf with dogged
obstinacy.
Look at the name on the silver
plate. you idiot!''
Lewis Crane! read the detective.
stupefed. Then he looked up with an
expression of blank establishment on
his solemn face. What he muttered;
do you think Sir Lewis killed his
cousin?"
II am sure OF IT." replied Hagar
firmly. Il have just learned from
servant that he was In love with the
girl Laura also. and that he was poor
and dependent upon the dead man for
money. The two had a quarrel on the
night of the murder, as they were
walking in the park. Because of this
quarrel they parted, each going differ
ent ways. Sir Lewis said that he re-
turned home, that he heard the pistol
shot, and thought that his cousin was
shooting at a target-as IL man
would do so in the twilight!' added the
girl, contemptuously. What he really
did--Lewis. 1 mean-was to follow his
cousin, and shoot him by the Queen s
pool; then he hid the pistol in the
marble urn and crept back to the house
to play his comedy tell you. Mr..
Julf, that Kerris is innocent. I said
so always. Sir Lewis is the guilty per-
son, and he slew his cousin out of
jealousy of Laura Brenton. and because
he wanted the dead mans money.
'.But the boots-the footmarks in the
mud?" stammered Julf. quite con-
founded by this reasoning. The marks
were made by the boots of Kerris.'
IT quite believe that admitted Ha-
gar; "another portion of Sir Lewis
very clever scheme to ward off sus-
picion from himself. The servant who
led me to the Queens pool will tell
you, as she told me, that Sir Lewis
just a day. or two before the murder
paid a visit to the cottage of Kerris.
Now, it is my opinion that while there
he stole the boots, and wore them on
the night he committed the murder,
with the intention of throwing the
blame on Kerris, whom Laura Brenton
loved. Don't you see what his game
was. Mr.. Julf? He wanted to gain a
title and money, so rs to marry Laura; :;
so he slew his cousin to get the first.
and laid the blame-by circumstantial
second. Now what do you say?"
1T looks black against Sir Lewis.
certainly" admitted Julf; still can
not think that he would dare"
Bah! men dare anything to gratify
their pasaions.' retorted Hagar
shrewd1y; besides, he thought that he
made all safe for himself by wearing
the boots OF Kerris. 1t was Sir Lewis
who gave the boots to Micky. Oh, IL
that boy could only be found,'
He is found." said Julf quickly. "I
got telegram while you were in the
park. The police picked him UP in