Evening star., 1914-12-20

Piled "She made bones about it. She was terrified
she said, about being asked questions | talked COM
nonsense with her, and she quick enough realize
what fool she had been She has changed back again
into her dinner clothes. She is quite composed now,
and prepared to face the thing
Il must go to her. Jermyn declared.
3Go, by all means, if you will, Lucille replied II
not trying to keep YOU apart. If you take my ad
vice, though, you will say very little. have talked
to her for sometime. She hasn't the least idea
of giving herself away She will deny that there
the slightest disagreement between them. She does
not know who shot him. She came away leaving him
practising cannons | have impressed that upon her.
That is the story she will tell
"And how do you know that is not the true one?'
Jermyn asked.
Once Lucille looked round the room. Then she
thrust her hand into the bosom of her gown and pro-
duced small pistol "You had better take charge of
this" she said "I have been concealing it myself for
the last halfhour but is your affair than mine.
This lying the carpet in Sybil Cluley's room'
Jerrnyn took it mechanically. "You found it w1ere?"
a found it exactly where | say-in Syb Cluley's
room Lucille repeated "Jermyn, try and be
Don't look dumbfounded Sybil Cluey may be every
thing you think she Isl but it is just certain that
you and talking here that she shot Aynesworth.
We both know what he was He was cad about
women. He had been puzzlng ever since she arril ed
about some memory Well, it came to him, and, what
that memory it the memory of something
in her past life that affected her reputation She knew
all about it. Aynesworh wouldn't forget to rub it in.
doubt but she the chance of losing you. Probably
she lost her head. Why not? Frankly, am sorry for
her, Jermyn. | sorry for her because think that
Aynesworth probably brutaly provoking. l want
to save her. You must take my advice"
WHAT is it,,
@She will be asked questions She will probably
have to attend the inquest She will come under certain
of suspicion without doubt. So long that
pistol produced and the stories of any disagree
nent between her and AVnesWOrth kent uI1iet
is in more danger than any of Don't agitate
her. Don't put fresh ideas into her head she knows
just what she has to say And if YOU do see her, for
Heavens sake don't let her try to away asain!"
Jermyn walked to the window and stood there for
several moments. Somewhere in the far distance he
could hear a motorcar approaching. 1t probably
the police! He turned back to Lucille.
"If she did this" he cried hoarsey, at have
been in wild moment. She wasn't accountable-they
can't make her accountable She terrified of Aynes-
worth all the tme-no could help seeing it."
Il agree with you absolutely" Lucille replied "but
remember that the law judges differently 1t
takes account of provocation. We must Don't
disturb her If they ask her questions tonight,
she knows exactly what she has say III do the best
for her. Jermyn, for your sake but let tell you
this,you the only person l ever shall tell; |
going put the fact absolutely out of my mind Listen'
She paused for moment. The motorcar draw
ing and there were footsteps in the hail. but the
room in which they were was still empty.
a Sybil Cluley with the pistol in her hand I
went along the lawn as far as the billiard room
window just before Mr.. Smith l thought it
only joke. Mind, else shall know that
from After ALL she is woman, and she must have
been taunted almost to madness Listen Who's that?
There's someone coming down the stairs
They both listened intently. From where they stood
they could just distinguish the sound of light stealthy
footsteps upon the smooth oak of the staircase the
swish of dress, footsteps that hesitated little and
yet steadily on. Jermyn moved to the door and