The Washington herald., 1906-12-04
CHAPTER XI.
Mrs. GiIroy's Past.


up his quarters at the Conniston Arms
for what purpose the lawyer could not de
termine-he thought it wiser not to arouse
the crafty young mans suspicious by
visit to Cove Castle. Certainly this was
somewhat overstrained sense of caution,
since, being ConnistOn's lawyer. he could
easily have gone there without It being
thought odd. But Durham knew that
julius. driven 10 desperation by the loss
of the fortune, would stop at nothing to
accomplish his wish to obtain it. Did he
learn that Bernard was still alive, he
would undoubtedly blackmaiI him. And
in the present position of the case, when
the truth could not be arrived at, Ber-
nard, for his own safety, would be obliged
to make terms And such terms as Beryl
would demand could not be granted.
Durham therefore returned to his busi-
ness. and at once set to work So far he
had done all that he could to settle the
government of the property during Cores
absence. and it now remained to take
such steps as would unTavel the intricacy
OF what appeared to be a plot to oust
him from his rights That Julius was
at the bottom of the whole affair Dur
ham was certain, and that Julius had his
eye on him be conjectured- Therefore.
il behooved him TO move cautiously lest
Beryl should counterplot him. And as
in this game, which dealt with the Is
sues of life and death, Durham's cards
were all on the table and BeryIs were
concealed. the chances Of victory lay with
the latter And if Julius won, he would
-f=Tra~ I-.T
written a letter directed to the London
office stating in full the conversation
which had taken place between him and
Sir Bernard. Durham was therefore IN
full possession of all facts not known to
Julius and after turning over these IN
his mind he concluded that il would be
best to start with an examination OF Jane
RiOrdan, the delinquent hOusemaid She
could not possibly be in the plot as he
had seen how simple woman she was
when at the inquest. Therefore she Ger
tainly, for some strange reason believed
Bernard 10 be the young soldier who had
courted her. She had sworn 10 his photo
graph. and had addressed him in the hall
Of the Crimea square house by his name.
Apparently-here Durham thought with
Conniston-some person had been imper-
sonating Bernard; so the lawyer sent a
message to Miss RiOTdan asking her 10
call Then he intended to question her
as TO the personality and speech of the
double
The housemaid arrived dressed in her
best and lyoking rather dOwnCast She
was evidently nervous. and could not
think what the lawyer wanted with her.
Like all her class she had wholesome
horror Of legal procedure, and always
kept out of the clutches OF the law. But
L. d sre .afr-
ing follower she had been dismissed by
her master. Mr. Jefferies. Being without
a situation. she grasped at the chance
afforded of seeing Durham. and hoped by
working on his sympathies 10 secure a
new one But for this want she would
probably have refused the invitation. As
it was, she duly appeared, and was ac-
commodated with q seat beside Durham S
desk. He then proceeded to question her.
thinking "a plain, straightforward exami-
nation would be best TO get at the truth.
Now, then" said Durham, wheeling
round his chair so that he could look her
in the face. You know I am the solicitor
OF Sir Bernard Gore, who is accused of
the murder of his grandfather. In spite
of the evidence given. I do not believe
he is guilty"
I don't think so. either. sir" sobbed
Jane who had got out her handkerchief
at the mention of the name.
You never knew him"
Yes. I did He cOurted me for nearly
month. And a sweet young man he
was; the very best I ever walked out
with"
Durham eyed her keenly. Apparently
she was speaking as she believed, and he
considered that the double must resemble
Bernard in a marvellous degree TO make
Of hi
with the accused young baronet. You
misunderstood me" ne said mildly. How
ever, I'll come 10 the point presently.
You must answer me ds though you
were in a witness-box.
Yes, sir said Miss Riordan, timidly,
But please, before ! speak could you
help me 70 new situation Mr.. Jefferies
dismissed me because ] walked out with
Bernard and received him in the kitchen.
Hum, said Durham. refeCtively. He
did not know very well what TO say al
the outset. as he was by no means pre-
pared TO promise to assist her hand
But on consideration he saw the necessity
of keeping so valuable a witness under
his own eye and away from Beryl, al
ways supposing Beryl to be mixed up II
the matter He therefore made up his
mind swiftly, and in his answer gaine1
James goodwill. Yes, l can help YOU
he said; my hOusekeeper wants a house
maid I Will give you my address and
a letter to her Go to Camden Hill. ans
il your character is satisfactory she viii
engage you
'Oh. thank you, sir said Jane effu
sively. I'm sure my character is all tha
can be desired, save in this last trouble
But Bernard was such an agreeable
There! therer' interrupted Durham
Tu1ly feff f1,o-
lust now. This last episode of YOU
career will not stand In the way Of m!
housekeeper engaging you. I'll max
that clear to her in my letter. Come
now, will you answer my questiOns?"
Yes. sir. Any you like TO ask" SAID
Jane. delighted at the granting Of he
petition. and privately thinking Durham
d sweet gentleman.
Good" said the lawyer in an officia
manner What is your name?'
Jane Riordan"
Durham noted this and her other an
swers down.
you were how long at Mr.. Jefferies? p
six months, sir"
When did you first see this soldier?'
Bernard, sir? In the Park, about
month before Sir Simon came"
How did he become acquainted witt
you?"
Jane giggled and looked down. We'll
sir" she said blushing. Il am not bad
looking, and Bernard
''He called himself Bernardo
Yes, sir. He said he was a corpora
in the Imperial Yeomanry. He had seel
me in Crimea Square"
In this house,?
mo, sir. Leaving the house. He sal,
he had come several times. being take
with my looks, and that he always want
ed to know me. As he was so hand
- IL