The Washington herald., 1907-07-07

he opened them, but Barkers eyes went
past them anxiously. 1t was not for
those he looked II was for something
else.
The doctor came upon It suddenly, a
piece Of nOte-paper, thicker than any OF
/ the others. surmounted by "a crest. He
looked at it curiously. It was the earls
/ crest, and the thick white paper had
! been blackened and not burned through.
/ Some of the writing was easily visible
| upon it. and below the embossed crest
/ date stood out In stiff, bold letters.
/ The doctor had no time TO examine it,
| even if ne wished. Barker's burnt and
/ helpless hands were stretched out in
agony toward IT,
Give II to me-and an envelope. quick %
/ he cried. in his weakening voice. Some
One-address it-befOre il is too late 80
| He stopped suddenly and fell back heavi-
ly. Perhaps he is here, he added,
among the crowd-call and see-quick-
before 1t is too late"
'Who?" asked the doctor. "Who is it
you wish 70 see2"
The answer came at once. and he
/ heard 1t i'm surprise.
Sir Geoffrey Waring. Barker said,
Str II ilt II dliitiiA tlt ttONN-
Il seemed ridiculous TO suppose that
he would be, but the doctor rose 10 his
feet. and raising his voice, called out
Geoffrey's name He did not expect 70
get any reply. and ne gave a start
when Godfrey himself turned from bend
ing over Ted and came forward.
Are you Sir Geoffrey Warins?' the
doctor asked.
fzrrffr.,s r,ITrl ,s.a- .r,.,.
there was a movement of surprise among
the crowd. that they were staring 1t him
in duh astonlshment. but the next instant
he had forgotten Il. Fred Barker, fat on
the ground. was staring up at him with
blind dun, fast-gazing eyes. holding to-
ward him in two weak charred hands
blackened piece Of paper.
He took il from him, and as If In
dream he heard the little clerks voice,
grown now suddenly clear and distinct.
speaking words he had never thought
TO hear
1T is the confession YOU signed eight
years ago, Geoffrey confession
Of forgery you never committed-that
sent you Out Of Oldcastle in disgrace. I
knew You were innocent. and that YOU
signed it 10 shield Lord Fanshawe-you
NeAAA iHhN - tAi n ti' II ~ ttAt ann
Bessie-will be glad-I have given it back
to you"
His voice stopped. Those round were
looking in bewildcrmcnt AT the dying
man and at the other who had been
called Sir GcOfrey Waring. and who was
yet Godfrey CIavering. and who once
worked as a lad in that very mill that
was burning 50 fiercely now.
M b.r Ha
derstand what il meant Barker was
getting restless again.
There is something else I have 10
say he whispered and | must be
quick II is what Bessie would wish
you must make note Of this. and let
me sign it. Somebody make a note
Godfrey pulled out his pocketbook and
leaned a little lower 10 catch the dying
words.
They came slowly, feebly-weak and
faltering-wOrds that were vet more
powerful than the shouting Of the crowd
behind him-that meant more 10 him
than the roar OF a thousand tongues.
II am dying, and I must tell what
I know Of the death Of Mr. Lancaster
Hetty Lancaster never murdered him
It was Claude. Lord FanshaWe. who
hllltu Nlll- EulSpu'd MN. lie went lAat
night 10 see him. No one knew that he !
was going-nO one saw him 90 except
me and Hetty Lancaster. And only l
knew what he meant TO do
His voice stopped for a moment, and /
he lay very stil with his eyes fixed. /
without seeing. on Ga1frcys face. The 1
men about them had ceased to watch 4
the fire. They We're watching instead, |
with bTeathless interest Barker's gray
white face. The fire had died a little. /
Every now and then the water playing |
on the burning mill drifted like a fine +
rain into their faces.
A drunken chemist named Brooks gave /
him the poison, Barker's Waverins voice /
went on. He had a herbal shop in Shelf |