The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-08
A WOMAN'S ] ENCHANTMENT} } By William Le Queux 2 Copyright, 1909, by z
 William Le Queux }
William Le Queux
(ContIDued.)

you were the actual witness or the crimei Is not that true?"
 She was silent, with her face half turned from mine Upon her cheek saw a telltale look. but it was evi- dent that she did not intend to satis- fly me. for her answer was an evasive one.
 T have made no statement: shall make none,'' she replied. "Ah! MT. Ralston. you do not know in what a difficult position I to-day find myself aware of all the perils besetting my friends, and yet at the same time un- able to state the truth
 ttWhy not?''
 "For reasons that must remain my own secret.' she replied, quietly. in a hard. strained voice. I saw that with in her was a strong desire to tell me the actual facts. but she was prevent ed from so doing by some mysterious fear of consequences.
 "They say you went to that house in Redc1iffe Gardens on the night of the tragedy, Miss Maynard I re- marked. watching her countenance the while.
 Her cheeks went paler in an in stant. but with an effort she answered:
 "As I've already told you. I, shall make no statement
 And allow this terrible charge against Granny Cough to proceed?"
 MT Cough is an unfortunate vic- tim of untoward circumstances-like myself" she declared.
 ssThe victim of Ralph Garshore!" I added
 ...Ah. of coursel'' she cried. suddenly starting toward me- You must know tons the other day when you visited them Had you met fi1im before? ?''
 'I had seen. him before, but we were not acquainted. All I knew of him was that he was Coughs bitterest enemy" 1"
 Yes. he is.'' she declared.
 Then she sat in silence for a long time, her eyes fixed upon the carpet. It seemed that she dared not look again into my face. while I. on my part, sat there entranced by her peer less beauty So suddenly had she ap- peared in my rooms, a fairylike vision on that bright summers day, that I sat fascinated beneath her spell. My speech had. I think, been mechanical, for my gaze had been fixed immovably upon her.
 ssYou know something of Garshore." I said. ''Tell me-
 ssI happen to know good deal about him." she said hoarsely. "A good deal which he still believes to be his own secret
 .eThen explain it all. do. am anx- ious to know. If I know the truth it may save Granny.''
 "AhiiI fear you cannot do that she replied. with a deep sigh of blank de- spair.
 .swe must try our best, Miss May nard. I urged What do you know concerning Garshore?"
 Alas. I know him well.' she an- swered in a bitter tone. "He once pre- tended to love me-and I believed him. Ours was a secret love unknown to my mother-but a cur- ious circumstance which arose caused the scales to fall from my eyes. A trusted friend. a relation, made in- quiries on my behalf. and their result exposed the amazing truth concerning that man?'' sJ J"We1l?'
 .'The police have not yet identified Ralph Garshore as Arthur Rufford, bachelor of arts. f1nancier, headmaster of college and master forger."
 s.Forger." I cried. s'Is he really a notorious criminal?''
 Most certainly she replied, bend ing forward to me in confidence. 'Un- der half dozen aliases he has figured as a scourdel of marvellous ingenuity. Gentleman born, aristocrat to the fin ger-tips. the fortunate possessor of an education derived from Harrow and Oxford. first-class shot-such is one side of Ralph Garshore. On the other, he is a clever, uflscrupulous scoundrel, with wealth of resource and inven- tion. combined with measureless pluck and nerve. which have earned for him a. reputation as master-criminal. Two years ago he declared his love for me. We first met at the Suspicious, and I believed his pretty speeches. and listened to his declaration of love. But 2 year later I found I had been gross Iy deceived,'' she went on. with quick, angry flash in her dark eyes. His real name was Cecil Willoughby, and it was originally intended that he should read for the church. But relig- ion had no attraction for him., and he entered the city. where he soon be- came as eager and keen as the veriest Shylock to make money. But the ordi- nary methods of the city were too slow for him, and very soon he was at work forging. A year later he was first arrested. Forged shares and notes. forged cheques. forged leases and forged telegrams were his stock in-trade. He would forge anything, and in that single. year must have amassed quite a respectable sum-
 How do you know all this?" queried, seated in my chair. still watching her in fascination.
 From my brother-in-law. who to have an old schoolfellow in responsible position at Scotland Yard. There they know Arthur Ruff ford too well. but have not yet identi- fled him with Garshore. I alone have elicited the truth
 s.rThen yO11 hold him in rthe hollow of