The Washington times., 1912-11-04
THE TIMES DAILY SERIAL STORY.
THE CRICKET OFLEEDS
BY J. AUBREY TYSON
(copyIsht oFrankA
BY J. AUBREY TYSON
Copyright, The Frank A. Munsey Coz


ieached her. hands he would have slain
the man who had threatened to make
the exposure and that he himself would
be dead by his own hand.
attached to the handcuffs was then APP
preciated. It was seen that, after sue
cessfully defending yourself from his
assault. you had succeeded In getting
Quiflan's darbies on him and had tied
him to the big steam pipe that extend
ed through the room from floor to cell.
Ing. After you left he broke away and
hurled himself through the window,
falling into the waters OF the Aire.
You. not knowing of his death. then
sent to the Leeds newspapers the an
nouncement of his marriage TO your Sis
ter. All this IL correct. Is It not?"
Rylance nodded
Yes" he murmured hoarsely. Not
for single moment had ! designed to
take the life OF my sisters husband"
your sister, was among the first to
make efforts to secure my release" '"
kirk wood went on. when | was free
she besought me to find you, In order
brother might be established. Rigdale' 8
account OF John Isbisters death already
had been made public. and all England
knows that that crime Is no longer to
be laid to your charge.
"Quillan, fully recovered, Is working
In your interest: but the facts In the
Ridgeley case are being withheld until
such time as you appear ana tell
what passed between you and the un.
fortunate young man on the evening Of
his death. Within twenty-four hours
your name will be unstaincd."
Kirkwood had risen while he had been
speaking. and as he finished his hand
fell on one of Rylancc's shoulders.
Rylance. rising wearily, pressed his
hands to his eyes.
"Ah! it's ali one long nightmare.
kirkwood--a nightmare that will not
said husRily. When a mans soul has
been scared as mine has been
He stopped abruptly. and as he low
cred his hands Kirkwood saw new
light shining in his eyes.
MY wife-Kirkwood! You have not
told me of my wife!'
Ward told you she was with friends"
the former detective answered gravely.
But you>havc not asked me to tell you
what has become of the Victoria Cross
that you'--
"Ah! yes-the cross. the cross. for
Mary held 1t in her dying hands.
sigh Ryiance. But YOU will tell me of
| want to know of now. NY wife, Kirk
wood! l must 20 TO her-l must go to
hcr!'
When Ward had left the room he had
closed the door behind him. but for
the last three or four minutes II had
been ajar As Kirkwood glanced to-
ward ii now II moved farther open
and woman entered-a stately wOmf
an. with blue, lustrous eyes. and a
great mass of shining light brown hair.
She was pale and trembling. and there
We're tears upon her cheeks, but as
she smiled there come to her features
the light of a great happiness. Clasped
In one of her white. outstretched hands
was something from which depended n
stained scarlet ribbon.
tlN. hot
Rylance had so often tried to see in
her dreams.
AS Rylance folded her in his arms no
word was spoken, and Kirkwood. step
ping out into the hall. gently closed the
door behind him.
In the hall, which was lighted now,
Ward, putting a cigarette, was leaning
against the banisters. Near him stood
a women OF middle age. who was APP
plying a handkerchief to her eyes and
muttering French words. Kirkwood
patted her on the shoulder and then
passed on. The woman was Therese.
Graspng Ward by the sleeve, Kirk
wood led him toward the door.
We must get that reptile out OF the
attic. Ward" he said abruptly THE
way is clear now for him to go to
lladcs by any road he chooses, and
there is no one that We know who will
try to follow him there. We've got
to get him out. Telephone for cab
and let II take him to one OF the hotts
It's pretty late, but he can find a berth
somewhere"
Ward turned to the telephone. which
was in the hall. and Kirkwood started
up the stairs.
TN have him ready by the time the
cab gets here" he said.
The man at the telephone had not
succeeded In getting response to his
call when he heard-th voice of Kirk
wood.
Ward"
"Well?"
The detective hung IN the receiver
and ran up the stairs. He found Kirk
wood standing at the head of the stair
way that led to the attic.
What's wronG?' ward asked.
Come in
The two men then entered the bed
room to which they had taken Pancoast
about two hours before All was still.
and the moonlight. falling on the bed,
showed that It had not been occupied
Look there" liirkwood whispered
pointing his finger toward one OF the
windows.
Then Ward saw that Pancoast was
kneeling on the floor, with his head
resting beside the window and with a
hand grasping one OF the lace curtains.
His attitude indicated that he was peer
Ing at something in the street below.
Darling a quick. questioning look at
Kirkwood. ward strobe quickly across
to the kneeling man.
''Pancoast," he called, here was no
answer.
Has he tainted again?" Ward asked
NO"
Ward turned a pair OF horror-strcken
eyes upon his friend. Then. after long
pause. he said In an awed voice:
He was looking out when you came
across the street with Rylance, and the
shock"
"T suppose So" Kirkwood sighed.
And so our friend. the Cricket. was
he met his wife again he would have
cleaned his slate"
(The End.)