Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-26
punished, whoever they are"

punished, whoever they are"
Inspector Field came in, very sorry and
very apologize for the trouble he was
causing. He was quite different from the
hard man who had been cross-examining
Bennington outside.
fancy you can give me certain infor-
nation" he said. Il have some little hesi-
tation In saying anything personal as to
the character Of Mr. Richford-"
You need not hesitate" Beatrice said bit
terly, ION my account. 1 am going to speak
freely. and all the more so because see the
possibility of having to repeat it all in the
witness box. I married my husband with
the sole idea of saving my father from
dis"
"Unpleasantness,'' Field said swiftly.
There is no occasion for anything Of that
kind to come out in the witness box. For
family reasons you became Mrs Richford.
There is no reason why your sacrifice should
have been altogether in vain"
That is very good of you,' Beatrice said
gratefully. Let me say that l am not in
love with the man whose name I am sup
posed to bear. Had anything happened to
my father before yesterday, my marriage
would never have taken place. Ny quarrel
with my husband was that he knew my
father was dead two hours before the cere-
mony was fixed to take place.
Hardened as he was, Field started. This
Information was unexpected as it was dra-
matte.
4 am not speaking idly" Beatrice went
on Il came back here, directly my ia
Tiers death came to my ears In his room
l found a telegram. 1t was dated yester-
day. the hour was clearly marked upon it
about 10 O'Clock yesterday morning. That
telegram was addressed to my husband it
was found by me close to my fathers body.
The doctor said that Sir Charles had been
dead some hours before he was discovered
Therefore I had conclusive proof in my
hands that my husband had seen my IA
Tiers corpse and that he had stolen out of
the room and said nothing, knowing that I
should he his wife If he be
truth"
1T seems almost incredible" Field NUT
tered. What did Mr.. Richford say?"
What could he do or say beyond admit
ting the truth of my accusation? Even his
cunning failed before the production of that
fateful telegram. He had to admit every
thing, he had to admit that the telegram
belonged to him, that he had occasion to
see my father very early on pressing BUSH
ness. and that he had not raised the alarm
because he knew If he did SO he would lose
me. At one time the suite of rooms in
which we stand was rented by Mr.. Rich
ford; indeed his term has not expired yet,
and that is why my father came here. 1
can tell you little if any more. What said
to my husband does not matter in the least.
I told him plainly that l had. done with
him, and l hope that 1 may never see him
again."
Field had few questions to ask further
A hundred theories were flying through las
nimble brain. Beatrice seemed to divine
something of this.
In common fairness / am bound to say
that Mr. Richford could have had nothing
to do with my fathers DEATH" she said.
I'm the first place he had everything to
gain by Sir Charles keeping his health. I
know the doctors are suspicious that there
is foul play somewhere, but recollect that
death some hours before his body was
found. A little before TO- Mr. Rchford
must have been at home or he could never
have had that telegram. Therefore it was
nft ny, hafo I1
who. according to the medical view of the
cause, had passed away hours BEFORE
That IS very cleverly and logically
soned,' Field said not without admiration
ANY in any case Mr.. Richford would be
able to give a reallI convincing account Of
the reason why he remained slent-espe-
cially after jury had seen you in the wit
ness box"
to Fields sound judgment as to human ma
ture but Beatrice did not appear to heed
his words.
II had better finish and tell you every
thing" she said. Il have said everything
I can, in common fairness to my husband
l feel convinced that If there was foul play
he had no hand in it, no actual hand that
is. But there is another side to the cues
ton. I have already told you all about the
countess and the general. / tod you how
my suspicious were aroused, and when l
came up to my room as quickly possible
the door was shut and two people were
talking inside. You asked me just now
Inspector Field, if 1 could recognize the
man again-the man who was in the room
when the countess was actually taking i'm
pressions of the seals on the door, and 1
said l could. Can you guess who that man
WASP"
The inspector looked puzzled for a mo-
ment, then the light Of illumination came
over his face. He glanced up eagerly; his
dark eyes were dancing
You don't mean to say that it was Mr.
Richford?" he asked.
Indeed I do" Beatrice said quietly, IT
had intended to keep that piece of informa-
ton to myself, but you have forced my
hand. OF actual crime. of actual murder,
l am quite sure that Stephen Richford is
innocent. But as to the rest I cannot say
At any rate have concealed nothing that
is likely to injure the course of justice"
Go be continued tomorrow