Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-03-08
THE STOWMARKET
MYSTERY;
OR,
A LEGACY
OF HATE
BY LOUIS TRACY
Copyrighted. 1904. r. r. Fenno a Co.
CHAPTER v.
FROM BEHIND THE HRDGE.

force to the taunt. David Hume
leaped up. but Brett anticipated him.
gripping his arm firmly. and without
ostentation.
Margaret, too, had risen. She ap-
peared to be battling with some pow
erful emotion. choking back fierce
impulse. For an instant the situation
was electrical Then the woman's
clear tones rang through the room.
II am mistress here" she cried.
Giovanni. remain silent or leave us
How dare you. OF all men, speak thus
of my cousin?"
ter's straightforward statement was
nnfooked for. But Brett felt that a
family quarrel would not further his
object at that moment. 1t was neces-
sary to stop the imminent outburst,
for David Hume and Giovanni Ca
pella were silently challenging each
other to mortal combat. What place
Of ill-omen to the descendants Of the
Georgian baronet was this sunlit H.
brary with It's spacious French win
dows,'
"Of course" said tbs barrister.
speaking as quietly as 1, he we're dis
GUESSING the weather, such topic Is
an unpleasant one. II is, however.
unavoidable. My young friend here
Is determined, at all costs. to dis
cover the secret Of Sir Alan's muir
der. IT Is imperative that he should
do SO. The happiness OF his whole
life depends upon his success. Until
that mystery Is solved he cannot
marry the woman he loves."
do you mean Helen Layton"
Margaret's syllables might have been
80 many mortal dagsers,
Yes"
rs David still In love with herr"
Yes"
And she with him."
David Hume broke in;
Yes. Rita She has been faithful
TO the end"
A very forcible italian oath came
from CapeIlA as he passed through
the window and strobe rapidly out
OF sight. passing to the left Of tho
house, where one of the lines of yev
trees ended in a group OF conserve
tories.
Margaret was now deadly white.
She pressed her hand to her bosom
Forgive me-" she sobbed. II do
not feel we'll. You will both be al
ways welcome here. Let no one
interfere with you. But I must
leave you. This afternoon"
She staggered to the door. Her
cousin caught her.
Thank you. Davie," she whis-
pered. Leave me now. I will be all
right soon. My heart troubles me.
No. Do not ring. Let us keep ou-
miseries from the servants"
She passed out, leaving Hume and
the bsrrister uncertain how best TO
act. The situation had developed
with a vengeance. Brett was more
bevildered than ever before in his
life
That scoundrel killed Alan. and
now he wants to kill his own wife!"
growled Hume, when they were
alone,
Brett looked through him rather
than at him. He was thinking In
tently. For a long time--minutes It
seemed to his fuming companion
he remained motionless. with glazed
immovable eyes. Then he awOke to
action.
Quick" he cried. Tell me II this
room has changed much since you
were last here. Is the furniture the
same? L. that the writing table,
"A ett tn
was 1t placed? Quick. man! You
have wasted eighteen months. Give
me no opinions, but facts"
Thus admonished. scared some
what by the barrister's volcanic en-
sr8y. Hume obeyed him.
There is no material change In
the ROOM" he said. The secretaire
is the same. You see, here is the
drawer which was broken open. II
used to force the lock. think
sat in this chair, or one like It. II
wac placed here. My face was turned
towards the FIRE. yet in my dream
was looking through the center win.
dow. The Japanese sword rested
here. showed you where Alan''
body was found"
The young man darted about the
room to illustrate each sentence
Brett followed his words and actions
without comment. He grabbed his
hat and stick.
I'VE will return later in the day
he said. LET us go at once and cal
ON Mrs. Eastman"
Mrs. Eastman! Why"
Because want to ses Miss Heller
Layton. The old lady can send fol
her,"
Hume needed no urging, He could
not walk fast enough. They had gone
hundred yards from the house
when Brett suddenly stopped and
checked his companion.
Behind the yew trees on the left
and rendered invisible by stOu
hedge. a man was running-runnint
at top speed. with the laborins
breath of one unaccustomed to The
exercise. The barrister sprang ovel
the strip Of turf. passed among the
trees. and plunged into the hedge re
gardbess OF thorns. He came bach
Instantly.
There Is footpath across the
park, leading towards the lodge
uotoo Uhera dpaa a. c0na out ?p h,