The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-08-31
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII. Concerning Myra Stap,eton.
 I took the workman's train by the Tube from Finsbury Park to Leicester Square station. which was within a stones. throw of my chambers.
 Opening the door with my key. I found the morning paper. which had been pushed. as usual. through the letter-box.
 Tired out. I threw myself into an armchair and opened at the middle pages. Yes. it was there: two columns of it. At last the story of the tragedy had leaked out. even though Morton and Cunliffe had been so careful to conceal all the facts from the public.
 A single glance sufficed to show that Cunliffe himself had written it. for 1t was almost exactly what he had told me on the previous evening.
 'tThe mystery" the account conclud- ed. appears to be one of the most puzzling which the metropolitan police have ever been called upon to unraveI. The case presents many extraordinary features which. for obvious reasons. are withheld by Scotland Yard. but sensational developments are very like ly to occur within the next few hours.'' I put down the paper and sat staring into space. The whole affair was in applicable. The sensational develop ment hinted at by Cunliffe was. no doubt. the imminent arrest of my friend. Granville Cough.
 The inquest was to be held that aft ernoon. and I was sorely tempted to ,kk A. ' saw that the further remained away from Redcliffe Gardens and those mak- ing inquiries. the more judicious would be my actions.
 Where. I wondered. was the faithful maid. Marie Lebas? Surely she knew ere this of the murder. and if not im- plicated 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 Radcliffe Gardens was within my own knowledge. 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 have undoubtedly provided a great sensation.
 I had suspected Granny of flight, but instead he had been down to Brighton to visit his little adopted daughter. I had misjudged my friend. and now hated myself for it. But had he not admitted his guilt? At 9:30 went round to the Hotel Cecil and inquired for MT. Garshore. He had left for the continent was all the information vouchsafed The mail clerk politely expressed his readiness to forward any letter I wrote. but that was all the satisfac- ton I could obtain.
 On my way back along the Strand I was conscious of being followed Though had escaped the vigilance of the tall detective down at Sydenham. yet a watchful eye was now being kept upon all my movements by a youngish man with a flair mustache, who had the appearance of a clerk was being shadowed! Back again in my chambers. I took a Bogdanof from a big box which Granny had given me a couple of days before. lighted it and sat reflecting. Should I go north and execute the commission with which may friend had 1 intrusted me?
 I wanted to get away from London away from CunIiffe and from the too inouisitive Morton.
 Therefore at 2:20 that afternoon I took the luncheon car express from Kings Cross to Yorkshire, having previously advised MT. Suspicion by telegram of my impending arrival. changed at York, and in the sun set at Nation station found the big green motor car from Stapleton Grange awaiting me. and in it Myra's father.
 The tall. thin. gray-haired man of aristocratic bearing-a typical York shire squire. in rough dark tweeds and a golf cap. crippled by hand heartily and expressed his delight at my sudden acceptance of his repeated invitation.
 By love, Ralston. I thought you were never returning to England any more. I called at your club in town half a dozen times during these last six months. but the porter always said you were abroad. But jump up. Myra's a home awaiting us. How's Gough?"
 "Oh. all right when last saw him. I responded as I entered the car and took seat beside him. He's just as merry as ever. We've been in Bucharest together lately" ''Yes. so Myra told me-"
 And as he uttered the words the chauffeur drew the car out upon the road and we glided forth across the bridge and put upon the Whitby road Nation and it's surroundings are very picturesque. remembered it on my last visit. and recollected how welcome had been at t4s quaint old world grange. here the rooms were mostly paneled in oak. and the views across