The Washington herald., 1912-11-10

- 49, -.------ 49, y------7-
no msttes how well the work Is done
he said. Il will 60 to the court in tn
morning with. you and examine tn
original there" .
Cant you tell anything about IT
pleaded El1erdine.
well, of course. the letter was Oh
viously written with the left hand, ant
i should think probably woman's lef
hand" be replied, passing the small
mounted photograph back to Ellerdine
Beyond that / cannot 60 with an,
degree of certainty"
"The left hand!" echoed Ellerdine
brightly. That's capital, isn't it!
am very grateful to you, old fellow"
Diclcey buttoned the card in his in.
side coat pocket and shook hands al.
most enthusiastically as Mr.. Brewster
waved his thanks aside and escorted
him into the hall. He hurried down
to the street. where his own auto
awaited him.
"Admaston house!" he told the
chauffeur as he climbed in.
When Peggy recovered consciousness
ShtG weS ASi o"h iuoloi Sdt win
Pauline's arms around her She had
walked from the court room, but she
remembered nothing after the black.
ness had closed in on her. When she
was able to understand where she was
she found herself sobbing and Pau.
lines voice in her ear constantly muir.
INJURED, "Madame!> Madame! Mad.
ame!"
Lady Attwill sat opposite and occa-
sionally spoke a few words for SYM
pathy and consolation. But her eyes
always gazed out of the window of the
limousine.
By the time they had reached Ad-
maston House full recollection of the
scene in the court room had returned
to the girl. She talked ineoherently OF
the railway porter-of Ellerdine-hel
husband-Sir Robert-and the letter.
The letter finally fixed itself in hei
mind as the one thing of importance
and neither Pauline nor Lady Attwill
could divert her thoughts.
At the house Pauline insisted that
her mistress change her dress, in the
hope that she might help. But when
they returned to the living room-and
Lady Attwill-Peggy's mind still re-
volved around that mystery.
Madame, do compose yourself"
Pauline begged. you will be i'll il
you 60 on like this"
Peggy sank into big chair wgith a
moan. THAT letter-that fendish let
ter! Who could have written it?'
Lady Attwill rose. Anonymous r
she exclaimed, contemptuously. Take
no notice"
Don't be absurd, Alice" said the
girl, wearily. The letter was written
before we left London. Who knew we
should go to Paris? No one imagines
that l knew. or Pauline. Then there's
Dickey-that's absurd!'
Pauline, standing beside her chair,
stiffened.
Madame" she said, with a baleful
glare at Lady AttwilPs profile, IF you
did not know that you would be stay
ing at Paris that night. the writer of
that letter must be some one who did
know and who wrote that letter to
compromise you! There are only two
who could have known. Madame, l
do not like" Pauline paused.
Lady Attwill smiled in cOndescension
and amusement.
You need have no delicacy. Paul
ine." she urged. What you want to
say is that that letter was written
either by Mr.. Collingwood or myself"
Peggy rose with a half shudder, half
sob of despair.
But you could not have done it
she exclaimed. The luggage-it was
Coliing who saw that it was not reg
That is only what the porter says"
returned the lady, with shrug of con-
tempt
"Oh, my dear, it is obviously true /!
Pauline saw through it the same night.
Didn't you think it was funny"
well. my dear. Dickey and l were
a little bit suspicious" admitted the
lady. with apparent reluctance. But !
hardly liked to suggest" The hia-
tus was fraught with meaning.
"Colling" finished Peggy. miserably.
It's impossible! And yet, just now
when l left the court l couldn't think
how else it could have been done
Alice, do you think it was Colling? Do
you? What reason could he have
nad%
"My dear Peggy" replied the lady.
with kindly pity, 4 can see plenty of
reasons. After all, we know that Col
ing won't be sorry if Admission gets
his divorce"
81 beg madame's PARDON" Pauline
with grim defiance. But
do not think that is so!'
Lady Attwill smiled and shrugged
ler shoulders again, as if throwing off
he burden of responsibility.
Il am the last person in the world
20 make mischief" she said, "and !
I'm sure / cannot imagine Mr.. Colling-
wood doing such thing"
She rose and walked slowly to the
ioor. Come on. Peggy" she begged,
gently. you must get some rest
You've had horrible day!"
Peggy shivered and pressed her
lands to her face. mo, no." she
,roaned, Il must think-I must Think
well, l must go and tidy up" de-
Jared the lady, glancing at her with a
peculiar expression. Il shall be down