Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-02-22

After a pause he went on:
May I ask, Mr. Brett, before
tell You my part of the story, II you
formed any theories rs to the occur
renee at the time?"
The barrister consulted his memo
randa. Something that met his eyes
caused him to smile
~ see" he said. that Mr.. Winter.
Of Scotland Yard, was convinced of
your guilt. That is greatly in your
favor"
Why"
Hume disdained the police, but
Brett's remark evoked curiosity.
Because Mr. Winter is a most ex-
cellent officer, whose intellect is
shacklod by handouts. De l'audace,'
says the Frenchman. as a specific for
human conduct. Lock 'em up says
Mr.. Winter when he is inquiring into
crime. OF course. he is right nine
times out of ten: but IT, in the tenth
case. intellect conflicts with hand
cuffs. the handouts win, being
stronger in his instance"
Hume was in no mood TO appre-
ciate the humors OF Scotland Yard,
SO the other continued:
Tho most telling point against you
was the fact that not only the butler,
footman, and two housemaids, but
you yourself, at the coroners In
quest, swore that the small Japan
csc knife was in It's sheath during
the afternoon; indeed. the footman
said 1t was there, to the best of his
belief, at midnight. Then, again, a
small drawer in Sir Alan's writing
table had been wrenched open whilst
you were alone in the room. On this
point tho footman was positive. Near
the drawer rested the sword from
which its viperish companion had
been distracted. Had not the butler
found Sir Alan's body, still palpita-
ting. and testified beyond any man
ner of doubt that you were appar-
emily sleeping in the library, you
would have been hanged. Mr.. Hume"
Probably"
The air OF probability attending
your execution would have been most
convincing"
as my case. then, so desperate?"
You cannot be tried again. you
know"
Il do not mean that. want to
establish my innocence; to compel
society to reinstRte me as a man pro-
foundly wronged; above all, to mar
ry the woman love-
Brett amused himself by rapidly
projecting several rings OF smoke
through large one.
$50 you really are innocent7" he
sad. after a pause.
David Hume rose from his chair,
and reached for his hat, gloves, and
stick
You have crushed my remaining
hope of emancipation ne exclaimed
bitterly. You have the repute OF be-
Ing able TO pluck the heart out Of
mystery, Mr.. Brett, SO when you as
sumo that I am guilty"
have assumed nothing of the
kind. You seem TO possess the fac
ulty OF self-control. Kindly exercise
it. and answer my questions. Did
you XIII your COUSIN
No"
who did kill hint"
Il do not know"
DO you suspect nybody?"
mot in the remotest degree"
Did he kill HIMSELF"
THAT theory was discussed pri-
yately. but not brought forward ar
the trial. Three doctors said II was
not worthy Of a moments consid-
Grafton
We'll. you need not shout your re-
plies. and l would prefer to see you
comfortably seated. unless, Of
course. you feel more AT ease near
the door"
A trile shamefacedly, Hume re-
turned to his former position near
the flreplace-that shrine to which
all the household gods do reverence,
even in the height Of summer. 1t is
impossible to conceive the occupants
of room deliberately grouping
themselves without reference to the
CRATE.
Brett placed the open scrap book
on his knees, and ran an index finger
along underlined passages in the
manner Of counsel consulting brief,
Why did you give your cousin
this sword?"
Because he told me he was MAX
ing collection of Japanese arms. and
remarked that my grandfather on
my mothers side. Admiral Cunning
ham. had brought this weapon. with
others. from the Far East. 1t lay for
fifty years in our gun room at Glen
Tochan"
80 you met Sir Alan soon after
his return home"
Yes. In London, the day he ar
rived. Came to town on purpose. in
fact Afterwards I travelled North,
and he went to Beechcroft."
How long afterwards! Be par
ticular as to dates"
at is quite a simple matter. owing
TO the season. Alan reached Charing
Cross from Brindisi on December 20.
We remained together-that is, lived
at the same hotel, paid calls in COM
pany, visited the same restaurants.
went TO the same theaters-until the
night of the 23rd. when we parted,
II is a tradition of my family that the
members of 1t should spend Christ
mas together"
"A somewhat unusual tradition IN
Scotland, is It not?"
Yes. but 1t was my mothers wish,
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