Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-20
CHAPTER XII.
Concerning Myra Stapleton.

took the workmans train by the
Tube from Finsbury Park to Leicester
Square station. which was within q
stones throw of my chambers.
Opening the door with my key, found
the morning paper, which had been push
ed. as usual. through the letter-box.
Tired out. I threw myself into an arm
chair and opened at the middle pages.
Yes. 1t was there; two columns of It.
At last the story of the tragedy had
leaked out. even though Morton and Cum
life had been so careful to conceal all
the facts from the public.
4 single glance sufficed to show that
Cunliffe himself had written it, for X was
almost exactly what he had told me On
the previous evening.
The mystery" the account concluded.
appears to be one of the most puzziing
which the metropolitan police have ever
been called upon TO unravel. The case
presents many extraordinary features
by Scotland Yard, but sensational devel-
opments are very likely to occur within
the next few hours
I put down the paper and sat staring
into space The whole affair was mex
plicable The sensational DEVELOPMENT
hinted at by e:unlife was, no doubt. the
imminent arrest Of my friend, Granville
Cough.
The inquest was TO be held that after
noon. and / was so-ely tempted to attend
the further ! remained away from Red
ciiffe Gardens and those making in
quiries. the more judcious would be my
actions.
Where. 7 wondered. was the faithful
maid Marie Lebas? Surely she knew ere
nf mn IL tafi
in the tragedy would return and make
some statement to the police.
That Ralph Garshore had met Lydia
Popescu and driven To the house in Red
cl.ffe Gardens was within my o :, knowl-
edge. and yet the dead woman was not
Lydia at all, ] alone was In possession
of facts-facts unknown to the police,
which. if published. would hase undoubt-
eddy provided great sensation.
l had suspected Granny OF Night. but
instead he had been down to Brighton
to visit HIS little adopted daughter. I
had misjudzed my friend. and now
hated myself for 1t.
Rut had he not admitted his guilt?
AT $50 l went round to the Hotel Cecil
md inquired for Mir. Garshore. He had
left for the continent was all the tnfor-
nation vouchsafed
The mail clerk politely expressed his
readiness to forward any letter I wrote.
but that was all the satisfaction I could
obtain.
On my way back along the Strand
was conscious OF being followed. Though
I had escaped the vigilance OF the tall de-
tective down at Sydenhanl. yet watch
full eye was now being Kept upon all
my movements by a younsish man with
fam mEstaCEe, who had the appearance
OF clerk.
/ was being Swallowed.
Back again in my chambers. ! took q
Boedanoff from big box which Granny
~, y e,
lighted il ard sat rejecting.
Should go north and execute the COM
mission with which my friend had in
trusted me"
wanted 10 get away from London
away from Cunliffe and from the too
induisitive Morton.
Therefore al a:2O that afternoon ! took
the luncheon car express from hing,
Cross To Yorkshire. having previously adj
vised Mr.. Stapleton by telegram OF my
impending arrival.
changed at York and in the sunset at
Nation station found the bi. green motor
car from Stapleton Grange awaiting me.
and in it Myra's father.
The tall thin gray-haired man OF arts
| tocratic bearing-a typical Yorkshire
squire. in rough dark tWeeds and Roi'
cap. gripped. by hand heartily and ex
pressed his delight at my sudden accept
ance Of his repeated invitation.
by Jove. Ralston. I though. you were
! never returning to England any more
! called at your club in town half dozen
times during these last six months. but
Ike porter always said YOU were ABROAD
But iu1np up. Myra's Q home awaiting
us. How's Cough"
"Ol,. all right when ! last saw him.
responded as ! entered the car and teos
seat beside him. Hes Just as merry
as ever We've been in Bucharest TO-
gether lately
Yes. SO Myra told me.
And as he uttered the words the claauf.
feur drew TIE car out upon tie road ano
We giided forth across the bridge anc
| ,ut upon the Whitby road. Nation ana
! III surroundings are very picturesque.
remembered il on m. last visit. and rec
| elected how welcome had been al the
quaint old-world grange. here the rooms
were mostly paneled in oak and the
| views across the low noors toward Nor
| manly so extensive.
Through the sleepy little town and NJ
! the hill past the Abbey House We flashed
| through Old Nation and out upon tho