The San Francisco call., 1907-03-24
CHAPTER XVIII
A Wnmnn,s Tnnrn.

WOman's Tongue
- ROoTON returned a few minutes
A later from the village. He
Y begged the favor OF a Few words
with me. He was a man of I'm
passive features and singular quietness
OF demeanor- Yet il was obvious that
something had happened to disturb
him
Il think it only right, sir, that you
should know OF the reports which are
circulating in the neighborhood. he
sale, nxing his dark, grave eyes re-
spectfuliy upon me. Il called for a few
minutes at the inn and made IT nv
business TO listen"
DO these reports concern me, Groo-
toni" I asked
They do, sir"
GO ahead. then" told him.
They refer also. SIR" he said. 10
the man who was found dead near the
cottage where you used TO live in IAN
uary last He was supposed to have
been washed up from the sea, but ii has
recently been stated that he was seen.
on the evening OF the day before his
body was found, IN the village, and IL
Is also stated that he inquired from a
certain person as TO the whereabouts
Of your cottage. He set out with the
Intention OF calling upon you, and he
was found dead in the morning By you.
sir within hundred yards OF where
you were living
Anything else, Grooton?"
There is d lot of foolish talk. sir.
He is said to have been a relative of
yours with whom you were not on good
terms, and the young lady who has just
given this information TO the police
through her father states that she has
remained silent up to now at your re-
quest"
I am supposed, then" I said. TO -
concerned IN this fellows DEATH"
Il have heard that opinion openly ex-
pressed, sirs' Grooton assented, respect
fully.
NODDED.
Thank you. Grooton," I said. y
shall be prepared then for anything
that may happen. II you hear any
thing further. let me know"
i shall not fail to do SO, sir he an
swered.
He bowed and withdrew. Then as ]
lit nay pipe and resumed my seat it sud
denly occurred TO me that the mar who
was chiefly concerned in this nssttcr
should at least be warned. I sat down
at my desk and wrote 20 Ray. I had
scarcely finished when I heard footsteps
outside, followed by an imperiOus
knocking at my door. orened 1t al
once. The Duke and Lady Angela en-
tered. ] saw at once from her dis
tmrbed expresxio. that something hax
happened.
Tho Duke wee a long cape over his
dinner csStaes. and he had evidently
walS- II ssst. lie looked at me sharply
as ] rose TO my feet.
Mr.. Ducaine," he said. * have come
20 ssk you to explain the sudden de-
r.
Il have already told Lady Angela
all that / know" ! said.
My daughters story the Duke an
swered. rs incoherent- It tells mo
only enough 20 make me sure that
something is being concealed"
I glanced at Lady Angela She was
looking white and troubled
II have told my father. she said.
"all that I know"
Then ! must discover the rest for
myself" the Duke replied. Il know
that Bienayon is uncertain and un-
stable TO degree. When / heard that
be had left for the continent / was
not particularly surprised or interested
I have only just discovered tho manner
or his leaving. II puts an entirely dif-
ferert complexion upon the AFFAIR
understand that he left with Colonel
Ray without luggage or explanations
Of any sort. ills own servant had nc
warning. and was left behind. Ny
daughter informs me that such in
formation as she has she gained from
you I require you TO supplement it,
i am afraid that the only person
who can enlighten you further, sir. Is
Colonel Ray. I answered. Il under
stood you to say. / believe. that he
would be here shortly
Il insist upon II" the Duke said
sternly. that you tell me what you
know at once and without further
prevarication."
was IN dilemma from which
there seemed to be no escape. LADY
Angela had seated herself in my easy
chair and was keeping her face averted
from me. The Duke stood between US