Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-03-22

save Claude Bamwell's life. We took
the train for Fenchurch street and,
half an hour later. were speeding
southwark in the Godalming local. AT
four that afternoon We arrived at Fair
view, small and unpretentious place,
but in good taste and typical English
gentlemans country seat.
We found Mr.. Clayton in charge.
Lydia, the cousin. was Frustrated and
under medical care. Hardly had we
taken our seats for conference, how
ever, than she appeared dramatically
before us, arrayed in black, her hair
dishevelled, her eyes tear-stained.
"You must save Claude. Mr.. Lang
ton," she pleaded. Indeed he never
killed his father. Tell me that you
have not come all the way across the
ocean fruitlessly."
Slight as NY hope was, could not
wholly cast it out.
ct will do MY best" I said. IT I'M
derstand an appeal is to be taken to
the court of criminal appeal. l can
testify that the stories as to Claude's
wild life in America are fabrications.
l will save him if he can be saved"
N-r. Clayton took Lydia by the arm
and led her to the door. 1--WE will
spare no effort" he said.
She seemed to collapse. Mr.. Clay
ton led her to her room, while we
waited in painful doubt. l saw Crewe
cast his eye upon a photograph that
stood upon the mantel.
"That is Selim, the Indian servant"
[ explained to him. Il had duplicate
cory of it, but unfortunately left 1T at
home in the hurry of packing. Pleas
ant-looking fellow, isn't he?"
Crewe made no answer. His eyes
were closed; he seemed to be calling
were closed; he seemed to be calling
up some memory. At this juncture
Mr.. Clayton returned and seated him
"Now. gentlemen" he said briskly-
I had already introduced Mr.. CreWe
a h.n as my confidential assistant
81 must confess that matters look very
black indeed. In our English courts
a conviction for murder is practically
never reversed and justice moves with
appalling swiftness. Let me say, how
ever, that / am assured hldeous
wrong has been done, and that the
real criminal is the Indian. But for
his perjured evidence, a very different
verdict would have been returned.
What most impressed the jury was
the fact that prussic acid compound
was found in the bodies of both Sir
George and Sir William, while it was
proved that Claude had bought prus-
sic acid at the village drug store. Then
there was the motive-fear that the
will would be revoked. But what
clinched the jurors in their decision
was Selim's evidence that Claude had
approached him with the project Of
destroying his father and sharing the
money that might be left, irrespective
of the will. Selim had been faith
full servant for many years; Claude
was reputed to have been a man OF
yilest character in America. The
Judge, who is old and testy, refused to
wait until you could put in evidence
in rebuttal of this, on the ground that
it was immaterial in law. Perhaps
it was but in fact it undoubtedly de
cided the jury's verdict"
"And where is Selim?" l asked.
Living at the village hotel" said
Mr.. Clayton. Living there brazenly.
Says he will remain on the spot I'm.
til his dear master has been avenged,
and is the object of universal solici.
tude, as Sir Claude is of execration."
"And now," I said, what part did
the cigars play in this mystery?"
"None whatever" answered Mr..
Clayton.
Have you the rest of the boX?"
NO." Mr. Clayton answered. oddly
enough, it cannot be found. 1t disap'
peared on the day of the murder, to-.
gether with the bulk of the prussic
acid supposed to have been purchased,
and with a few other little articles
having relation to the crime. But
none of these is material. The pros.
ecuting attorney suggested that Claude
mad hidden these in an effort to de-
stroy all evidence of his crime"
"Can we see this Selim?" asked
Peter Crewe.
WELL" said Mr.. Langton, "if you
think it will do any good, we can I'M
doubtedly find him at the village no.
! tel"
At Crewe's urging we started out
| for the village. 1t was a small coun-
| try town of one main street, flanked
by little laborers' cottages, with, here
and there, a. bridesmaids residence of
more imposing type. At the inn we
learned that Selim was out walking.
What time does the next train
come in from Godalming?" Crewe
| asked.
at 5:07," the landlord answered.
"And departs?"
There is a SIP local running clear
through to Charing Cross"
I'VE have just time to catch the
local." said Crewe, looking at his
| watch. "Mr. Clayton, We leave you
here and shall see you tomorrow"
Then, disregarding the lawyers look
of surprise, he took me by the arm
and, without further explanation,
urged me to accompany him. saw
that something important must have
transpired.
This fellow Selim does not know
OH l.