The San Francisco call., 1907-03-10

minutes before the train started. Win
ont word OF coming to Braster- Yet
he travelled down by the same tram,
avoided me, lied TO Lady Angela and
n,vseIf this morning, and had exactly
The sort of wounds which I had IN
ficted upon that unknown assaiIant
who attacked me in the darkness II
cfrcumstantiaI evidence went ror any
thing. Ray himself had been my as-
greSSor.
Grange and went straight on TO the
village. Coming out OF the postomce
/ found myself face to face with
Blanche Moyat. She held out her hand
eagerly.
.wsiI not today." answered. 'I
am on my way to Rowehester' and
am late already"
She kept by my side.
Come in for a few moments, she
begged. in a low tone. Il want to talk
Not the old subject, hope" re-
She looked around with an air Of
mystery
-Do you know that some one IS max
ing inquiries about that man?'
II always thought II possible" I an
swered, that his friends might turn
up some time or other"
We were opposite the front OF the
Moyat house. She opened the door
and beckoned me to follow. J hesi-
tated. but eventually did so. She led
the way into the drawing room. end
carefully closed the door after u.s.
Mr.. Ducaine." she said, Il mean Il,
really. There is some one in the VII
iage making inquiries-about-th
man who was found dead"
Well" said, that is not very sur
prising, is it.? His friends were al
most certain to turn up sooner or
later"
His friends, But do you know who
it is?' she asked.
sank resignedly into one OF Mrs
Moyat's wool-covered chairs An ab-
surd little canary was singing itself
hoarse almost over my head. I half
closed my eyes. How many more
during these long-drawn-out days OF
mystery?
"oh. do not know" declared Il
am sure I do not care. i am sorry
that ever asked you for one moment
to keep your counsel about the fell
low, never saw him. I do not know
who he was. ] know nothing about
him. And don't want to. Miss Moyat-
He may have been prince or peddler
for anything I care"
We'll, he wasn't an ordinary per-
son. after ALL" she declared, with an
air Of mystery. Have you heard OF
the lady who's taken Braster Grange?
She's a friend of Lord Blenavon's. He's
always there"
I have heard that there IS such
person." I answered wearily.
She's been making inquiries right
and left-everywhere- There's no
tice In yesterdays Wells Gazette. and
who can give any information about
him sufficient to lead to Identification"
III you think" / said. that you can
earn the pounds. pray do not let me
stand in your way
She looked at me with a fixed in
tentness which 1 found peculiarly irri-
tating.
You don't think. that I care about
the fifty pounds she said. coming over
and standing by my chair.
Then why take any notice OF the
matter at alp I said. "All that you
can disclose is that he came from the
land and not from the sea. and that he
asked where I lived. Why trouble
yourself or me about the matter at
all? There really isn't any necessity.
Some one else probably saw him be-
sides you. and they will soon find their
way to this woman"
1T was only to me-" she murmured.
that he spoke of YOU"
DO you believe" I asked. that I
murdered hinse
She shuddered
No, OF course I don't" she declared.
Then why all this nervousness and
mystery" I asked Il have no fear
of anything which might happen. Why
should you be afraid?"
II am not afraid" she said slowly.
out there is something about it which
/ do not understand Ever since that
morning you have avoided ma"
Nonsense" I exclaimed.
1T is not nonsense" she answered.
TT Is the truth. You used to come
sometimes to see father-and now yo,f
never come near the place. Tt is-too
bad OF you" she went on. with a little
sob. Il thought that after that morn
ing. and my promising TO do what you
asked, we should be greater friends
than ever. Instead of that YOU have
never been near US since. And I don't
care who knows it, I am miserable"
She was leaning against the arm OF
my chair. 1t was clearly my duty to ad-
minister the consolation which the sit
uation demanded. realized. however.
that the occasion was critical and
ignored her proximity.
Miss Moyat," I said. IT am sorry II
asking you to tell that harmless little
desired
1T isn't altogether that" she inter-
rupted. You know II isn't"
You give me credit for greater DOW
ers OF divination than I possess. I an
swered calmly. "Your father was al
ways very kind to me, and can assure
YOU that 1 have not forgotten II. But
I have work to do now, and I have
scarcely an hour TO spare. Mr.. Moyat
would understand it. am sure"
The door was suddenly opened. Mrs.
Moyat, fat and comely, came IN. She
surveyed US both with a friendly and
meaning smile, which somehow made
my cheeks burn 1t was no fault OF
mine that Blanche had been hanging
over my chair.
Come she said. TN sure I'm very
glad to see you once more. Mr. Du-
caine. Such a stranger as you are, too,
But you don't mean to sit in here with
out fire all the afternoon. supposs.
Blanche. Tea Is just ready in the din
ing-room- Bring Mr. Dueaine along.
Blanche"
j held out my hand.
Il am sorry that I cannot stop. Mrs.
Moyat." I said. Good afternoon, Miss
Moyat."
She looked me in the eyes.
You are not going?" she murmured.
4 am afraid. I answered. that il ia