Evening star., 1907-10-26

could do to get back to the house again
without being discovered, but 1 managed
1t all right. There were several valuable
articles 1 had marked down, and directly
Mr. Delahay was back in the studio I be-
gan to gather them together. 1 dropped
one trinket. which tinkled on the floor,
and my heart was in my mouth
thought that the sound didn't reach the
ears of Mr.. Delahay. But l was mis-
taken. minute or two later l heard
! him coming, and bolted through the
window into the garden. I waited there
perhaps for an hour before it seemed safe
COR me to go back, and tEea I went. /
| turned on the light. My heart was
fair in my Tauth. Then I looked down
at the aoor. There lay Mr.. Delahay as
dead as a rabbit l believe I howled for
a moment / was taken SO! But there he
lay, and there was his watch-chain a.
shining in the light, and then it comes
into my head that, If I'd got pluck
enough, here was way to pay for them
sticks of furniture of mine. 1t was hard
work, but l managed to screw myself up
to 1t at last. After all said and done, I'd
only come here to take what / could get.
and it wasn't me that knitted the poor
gentleman. Besides, he might have died
a natural death for all l knew. There
was no sign of blood about, and nothing
that suggested violence. All the same, I
couldn't go through it again if you Of
fered me ten thousand o. the best"
Cooney paused and shuddered. Great
beads of perspiration poured down his
face. Then he resumed once more.
We'll he was dead, and there was an
end of it. Just for the moment 1 wasn't
! THINKING about much besides my little
happy home. l pocketed all the valu-
abIes I could lay my hands upon and car
ried them away. You may say that that
was mad thing to do, but after l saw
Mr.. Delahay lying dead at my feet, It
| seemed to me as if he wasn't likely to
miss EN-. Oh, know as stand in what
the papers call a serious position. But
that's the gospel truth, and l can't tell
you any more. 1t seems to me l have
said enough. And now, If you will call a
cab. sir, am ready for YOU
A cab was called and Dallas drove Off
in the direction of Bow street with his
| prisoner. He stopped just a moment to
exchange a few words with Lance and
Venables.
There IS no reason why Mrs. Delahay
| should not know this just yet?' Walter
asked. You may be sure that she feels
her position keenly. Would there be any
| objection to getting her to accompany US
as far as Cannon Green tonight? You
will understand why"
None at all'' Dallas said. I'll send a
mes age to the man who is watching out
side the Grand Hotel. and let him know
that that his presence there is NEEDED no
find the culprit. 1t isn't Cooney. He told
us the truth, I'm certain. The culprit is
at Cannon Green. What a fool I've
been"
| Mrs. Delahay received her visitors in a
| dull, apathedc way, which had never le T
her since the night of the tragedy But
her face cleared and her manner became
more soft and gentle as she listened to
the story which Walter had to tell. She
dropped into chair, and for some mo-
| ments the tears ran unrestrainedly down
| her checks She uipad bar r.
| ly. There was something like a smile on
her lips as she turned to Walter.
Il believe those tears saved my rea-
| son." she said. Il have not been able
the last few days. The death of my
| husband was bad enough, The knowledge
| that was suspected of his murder was
worse, but the feeling that my own sister
| possibly had a hand in the trag 9dy was
worse than all the rest. There are one
| or two matters to be explained yet, but
| the great truth is growing plain. and
| feel like living being once more. oh,
yes. I will come down to Cannon Green
| with you; I am looking forward to it with
something like pleasure. l know that
when 1 have seen my sister everything
will be cleared up
| 1t was a different woman who came
down from her room half an hour later,
| ready for the journey. She looked sad
and pathetic enough in her deep mourn
| ing. The trouble still broodad in her eyes,
but the look of stony despair was no
longer there. They came at length to the
| house on the common. The windows were
| lighted up. the hall looked com fortable
and CHEEKY.
| In the drawing room were the Countess
F'lavio and Vera. They rose as Mrs.
| Delahay entered
II have brought your sister, Walter
Explained briefly. "She has much to say
| to you. Perhaps 1 had better leave you
| alone"
(To be Continued Tomorrow