The Washington times., 1912-11-19

| sOIue buCn
| yet now that It had finally come
1t had found him completely unpre-
pared. He must parry 1t II he could.
He must fight for her till the last
ditch.
But how devilishIy clever Of Griggs
to have deferred his attack until he
was able to catch his adversary on his
guard. Cyril looked keenly but-he
hoped-calmly, at the inspector. Their Their
Cyril had expected. The mans express
sion. although searching, was not hos
| tile. In fact. there was something al
most apologetic about his whole atti-
tude Griggs was not sure OF his
ground; that much was obvious. He
knew something-he probably suspected
| more-but there was still chance that
| he might be led away from the trail.
Cyrifs mind worked with feverish
| rapidity. He realized that 1t was i'm
| perative that his manner should ap-
pear perfectly natural.
But how would an innocent man be-
have? He must first decide what his
position. viewed from Griggs' stand
, point, really was. He must have a def
mite conception of his part before he
attempted to act It.
The inspector evidently knew that a
young woman who bore Cyril's name
had been taken Ill on the Newhaven
train. He was, no doubt, also aware
that she was now under the care of
DIR. Stuart Smith. But II the inspector
really believed the girl to be his wife.
these facts were in no way incrimi-
mating.
Yet the man smelled a rat He must.
| therefore, know more Of the truth, No
for II he had discovered that the girl
sure that Griggs would not have
broached the subject so tentatively.
What then had aroused the mans sus-
picions? All, he had 1t. He had told
| every one who inquired about his wife
that she was still on the Continent.
Peter, also, obeying his orders, had re-
peated the same story In the servants
hall And, of course. Griggs knew that
they were both lying. No wonder he
was suspicious!
she Is much better. thank you. But
how did you hear Of her illness?
have not mentioned 1t. to anyone"
Cyril fattered himself that his voice
had exactly the right note OF slightly
displeased surprise.
He watched the inspector breathIess-
~. Had he said the right thing? Yes.
for Griggs expression relaxed and he
answered with smile that was almost
depreciating:
II. OF course, saw the report OF the
man who searched the train. and
was naturally surprised to find that the
only lady who had taken her ticket in
Newhaven was Mrs. Cyril Crichton. In
case like this We have to verify
everything, so when I discovered that
the geoteman who was with her was
| undoubtedly your lordshlp. 1t puzzled
me good deal why both you and
your valet should be so anxious to keep
her ladyship's presence in England a
secret"
Yes, yes It must have astonIsheed
| you. and confess | am verey sorry you
| found me out" said Cyril. He had his
clue now. The old lie must be told once
more
Her ladyship is suffering from "a
| nervous affection" He hesitated pur-
insane asylum" he finally blurted out.
You mean that the present Lady
Wilmersley-not the dowager-" The
inspector was too surprised to finish
his sentence.
"Yes. It's queer. isn't 1t. that both
should be afflicted in the same way"
agreed Cyril. calmly lighting a cigar
ette.
Most remarkable" calculated Grggs,
staring fixedly at Cyril
"As the doctors believe that her lady
ship will completely recover didn't
want anyone to know that she had ever
been unbalanced. But I might have
known that 1t was bound to leak out"
not mention what you have told me to
anyone"
Thanks But If the whole police de-
partment-'
They have got too much to do to
bother about what doesn't concern
them, I don't believe a dozen of them
noticed that in searching the train for
one Lady 'Wilmersley they had inad-
vertently stumbled on another, and as
| the latter had nothing to do with their
case they probably dismissed the whole
thing from their minds. ! know them"'
But you"-suggested Cyril.
"Well, you see, It's different with me-
It's the business of my men to bring me
sEer sGs1ed 1sW sSsS eqt e to .ass
bilities. have got to think of every
! thing-suspect every one"
| Even me2" asked Cyril quickly.
Your lordship would have no diff
Guilty in proving an alibi.'
| 80 you took the trouble to find that
out?"
'Of course, my lord"
"But why? should really like to
know what could have led you to sus-
pect me?"
II didn't suspect you, nv lord. I only
thought OF you. You see. Lady VIII
| mersley must have had an accomplice
and you must acknowledge that It was
! q strange coincidence that your lordship
should have happened to pass through
Newhayen at that particular moment,
especially as the Newhaven route Is not
very popular with people OF your
Quite so. AS matter Of fact. l
| hnu ilo lhlelitlOn OF taxing II, Dut
missed the Calais train"
Il see" Griggs nodded his head as II
the explanation fully satisfied him.
"Wonld you m nd my lord" he con-
tinued after brief pause. "if. now that
we are on the subject. I asked you a
few questions? There are several points
that are bothering me or course, don't
answer II you had rather not"
You mean II my answers are likely
to incriminate me. Well. ! don't think
they will, So fire ahead" drawled Cy,
ri, trying to express bv his manner q
slight WEAKNESS of the topic.
THANK you. my lord" Griggs looked
trine abashed, but he persisted. ~
have been wondering how 1t was thai
you met her ladyshp IN Newhaven n
you had no previous intention OF taking
that route?"
Cyril was ready with his answer.
at was quite accidental. The fact is
her ladyship escaped from an asylum
near Fontainebleau over fortnight
ago. I secured France for her. but
finally gave up the search. and, leaving
the French detectives 10 follow up any
clue that might turn up, decided, al
most on the spur of the moment. to rur