Evening star., 1914-12-20
Continued from page 6

l entered. I had to wait with the coffee
tray until she had finished her stroke
Once more the inspector closed his book,
and obeying gesture from his master
Roberts disappeared.
at will not be necessary for you to in
terrupt your journey, Sir" the inspector re-
marked to Smith.
TERMYN led him out into the hail.
> "This is very extraordinary affair." Sir
the man remarked. "May | ask question
which you may perhaps think little I'M
warranted at the present juncture?"
"You may ask anything you like, Jermyn
answered.
"Do you know anyone in this house, Sir,
who has any cause for cnmity against his
Lordship?"
Absolutely no one," Jermyn replied.
"Lakenham was an easy-golng, good-na
tured sort of fellow, without violent likes
or dislikes, man who was quite content
too to lead the ordinary life of pleasure
"I trust that you will not take exception
to any arrangements that feel it to be my
duty to make" the inspector continued.
very peculiar. Suicide seems strange
theory in any case, and the fact that no
weapon was discovered by the side of the
body seems to dispose of that theory alto
gether. l am compelled, therefore, to regard
it as a case of murder"
Jermyn shivercd little. 1t was hack
neyed word enough; but in his own house,
concerning his own kinsman, with those
whom he loved SO closely involved, it seemed
to possess a more hideous significance.
II am now," the inspector went on, going
to make a thorough search of the apartment
and of the gardens outside. prefer to do
this by myself. 1 shall then return to Nor
wich and make my report. l am compelled
to leave one of my men upstairs, in or near
the apartment where Lord Lakenham is ly-
ing. The other one l must leave in the
billiard room. You will understand, l am
sure, the necessity for such steps,"
II am quite convinced, Mr.. Inspector"
Jermyn replied, @that you will do what you
conceive to be your duty. Our only concern
must be to help you in every possible way.
If you will ring the bell as soon as you have
finished your examination of the billiard
room, Roberts will be glad to bring you any
refreshments you may care for"
II am much obliged, Sir"
3And if you discover anything Jer1nyn
continued suggestively-
"If 1 should make any discoveries, or
come upon anything likely to indicate a
clue" the Inspector intervened, II am afraid
that at this stage of the proceedings l must
keep it entirely to myself. The chief con-
stable will probably be over tomorrow morn
ing early, Sir, and l am sure he will be glad
to discuss the matter with you. Goodnight
TERNlYN hurried back to the library. Lu-
> cille was there alone.
"Where is Sybil?' he asked quickly.
@She has gone to her room, Lucille re-
piled, coming to his side and drawing her
arm through his. 4Jcrmyn dear, you must
sit down and rest for little time
Jcrmyn seemed scarcely to hear her.
"Gone to her room!' he repeated. u want
to speak to her. l must speak to her!
can't bear this any longer! l am going to
hold her hands and pull that wall down!
She is going to tell me all, and am going
to tell her that whatever she did was right!'
She forced him into chair and sat at his
feet "Jcrmyn DEAR she insisted, @you
must please be guided by me for very short
time You are not yourself when you talk
like that. Sybil went through her examina-
ton beautifully. You and l between us
will keep any harm away from her; but we
can succeed only if you keep down those
wild, impulses of yours and act like a ra-
tional human being. There is plenty of
time in the future for understandings. For