The Washington times., 1912-11-08

Honlal troubles ne snOuiu nave tuH-
bled headlong into this predicament.
From the moment he had heard OF
Lady Wilmersleys disappearance he
had never had the shadow OF DOUBT
but that 1t was she ne had rescued
that morning from the police. what
her Identity. He must decide on
course of action at once. Wash his
hands of her? No-he felt he couldn't
do that-at least not yet.
tarily confessed the truth, who would
believe him II 1t ever came to light
II 1t were discovered that he, the heir,
had helped his cousins murderes9 to
escape had posed as her husband,
would anyone-would any jury-bclievo
that chance alone had thrown them to-
gethor? He might prove an abb, but
that would only save his life-not his
honor. lie would always be suspected
OF having instigated, II not actually
committed. the murder.
II. however, by some miracle. the
truth did not leak out. what then? II
would mean that from this day forward
he would live In constant fear Of detec-
ton. The very fact of her secret exist
ence must necessarily poison his whole
life. Lies. lies, lies would be his future
portion.
Was he willing to assume such a bur-
den? Was 1t his duty to take upon
himself the charge of a woman who
was, after all. but homicidal ma
nlas z
But was she a maniac? Again and
again he went over each incident of
their msting-weighed her every word
and action; and again he found II i'm
possible to believe that her mind was
unbalanced. Yet II she was not insane.
what excuse could he find to explain
her crime? Provocation7 Yes-she had
had that. She had been beaton-flogged.
But even soto kill! He had once been
present when murderer was sen
tpnCpd-'tn hang nv tho narE nj
are dead the words rang In his ears.
That small. white neck-no--never.
Suddenly he realized that his path was
,InsH.,, .rreyoea5iy , chosen. As long as she
uttermost OF his ability. Even II his
Serorts proved futile. even II he ruined
his life without saving hers, he felt ne
would never regret his decision.
1t seemed centuries since he had left
1t that morning. Hiring a fly he drove
out to Geraldton. a distance OF nine
miles: There the door was opened by
five years previously.
ITS Mr.: Cyril" he cried. "why.
sir, they all told us as 'ow you were in
south Africa. But bid you welcome.
THANK you. am glad to see you
Thank you. sIr-my lord. mean.
ana please forgive your being received
like this. but everyone is so upset
there's no doing nothing with nobody.
II you will step in ere, ri cali Mrs,
Erersley, the 'ousckeeper."
rs Mrs. Eversley still here? re-
member her perfectly: she used to stun
me with doughnuts when came here
emily"
Very good-my lord"
Now | want to hear all the particu-
lars Of the tragedy. The newspaper ac-
count was very meager."
quite so, my lord" assented the but
ler."
LADY wilmersley has not been
fo4nd?" asked Cyril.
No. my lord-weve searched for her
ladyship Ugh and low. Not trace OF
'er. And now everyone says as 'ow she
did 1t. But I'll never believe lt-never
o gentle little lady. she was, and that
easily frightened! Why. II my lord so
much as looked at her sometimes she'd
and devoted to 'er. E just dotted on
'er. e did. I never saw nothing like It."
"If you don't believe her ladyship
guilty is there anyone else you do sus-
pect?"
mo. my lord. I can't say as do" He
spoke regretfuiIy. 1T was a burglar. !
believe. I think the detective
"What detective?" interrupted Cyril
London. and they say as e can find a
murderer just by looking at the chair e
sat in"
who sent for him? The police"
mo. it was Mr.. Twombley. Of Crofton
He said We owe It to 'er ladyship to
hemploy the best talent"
Where is the detective now"
'E:s in the long drawing room with
Mr.. Twomhley."
Has the inquest been held"
mo, the corpse won't be sat on till
tomorrow morning"
SHOW me the way to the drawing
room: / don't quite remember It"
The butler preceded him across the
hal, and throwing open door. an
nounced In a loud voice:
Lord Wilmersley."
The effect was electrical. Four men.
turned and stared open-mouthcd at
Cyril, and one Of them-a short, fat
man in clerical dress-dropped his tea
cup In his agitation.
"Who?" beloved a tall. florid old
gentleman.
The butler. secretly delighted at hav-
ing produced such sensation. closed
the door discreetly after him.
II don't wonder you are surprised to
see me. You thought I was with my
regiment"
80 you're the little shaver I knew as
boy? Well, you've grown n lot since
then. Ha, ha;" then, recollecting the
solemnity of the occasion, he subdued
his voice. I'm Twombley-friend OF
your fathers, YOU know, and this Is
Mr.. James. your vicar, and this Is Mr..
Tinker. the coroner, and this Is Jud-
son. celebrated detective, you know. |
sent for him-hope you approve? Ter
II. l. VE.A