The Spectator., 1915-06-18
CHAPTER VI.
The Gathering of the Clouds.

giOVed hand, II suppose you knOW you've heard all about the discovery today at the wood? I need not tell you anything about it."
 Yes, Miss Leithcourt, I only wish you would tell me about it," l said gravely, inviting her to a chair and seating myself. Who is the man?"
 "Ah! that we don't know" she re- piled, pale-faced and anxious. "1 wanted to see you salone-that's the reason I am here. They must not know at home that I've been over here"
 Why, is there any service I can render you?"
 Yes. A very great on6," she re- sponded with quick eagerness, "I- well-the fact is. I have summoned courage to come to you and beg of you to help me. l am in great dis tress-and have not single friend whom 1 can trust-in whom l can con- fide."
 Her lips moved nervously, but no sound came from them, so agitated was she, so eager to tell me some thing; and yet at the same time reluc- tant to take me into her confidence.
 Tt concerns the terrible discovery made up in Rannoch wood" she said in a hoarse, nervous voice at last. That unknown man was murdered stabbed to the heart. 1 have suspi- cions."
 "Of the murdered mans identity?"
 No. Of the assassin. l want you to help me, if you will.'
 Most certainly" I responded. But If you believe you know the assassin you probably know something of the victim?"
 "Only that he looked like for eigner."
 Then you have seen him?" l ex- claimed, much surprised.
 My remark caused her to hold her breath for an instant. Then she an swered. rather lamely, it seemed to me:
 From his features and complexion guessed him to be an Italian. l saw him after the keepers had found him"
 Besides" she went on, the stiletto was evidently an Italian one, which would almost make it appear that foreigner was the assassin"
 '1s that your own suspicion?"
 "No."
 Why"
 She hesitated moment, then in low, eager voice she said:
 Because I have already seen that knife in another persons possession"
 Then what is your theory regard ing the affair."" inquired.
 Tt seems certain that the poor fel- low went to the wood by appointment, and was killed. The affair interested me. and as soon as I recognized the old Italian knife in the hand of the keeper. l went up there and looked about. I am glad did so, for found something which seems to have es- capped the notice of the detectives"
 And what's that?" l asked eagerly.
 Why, about three yards from the pool of blood where the unfortunate foreigner was found is another small pool of blood where the grass and ferns around are all crushed down as though there had been a struggle there"
 There may have been a struggle at that spot, and the man may have stag gered some distance before he fell dead"
 Not if he had been struck in the heart as they say. He would fall, would he not?" she suggested. No The police seem very dense, and this plain fact has not yet occurred to them. Their theory is the same as what you suggest, but my own is some thing quite different. MT. Gregg. I be- lieve that a second person also fell a victim" she added in a low. distinct tone.
 gazed at her open-mouthed. Did truth? Was she aware that the woman who had fallen there had disappeared?
 "A second person!" l echoed. as though in surprise. Then do you be- lieve that double murder was com. mitted?"
 
 that the young man. on being struck in the heart. could not have gone such distance as that which separates the one mark from the other"
 But he might have been slightly wounded-on the hand, or in the face at first, and then at the spot where he was found struck fatally" l sug- gested.
 She shook her head dubiously, but made no reply to my argument. Her confidence in her own surmises made it quite apparent that by some 'un- known means she was aware of the second victim. Indeed. few moments later she said to me:
 Tt Is for this reason, MT. Gregg. that I have sought you in confidence. No body must know that have come here to you. or they would suspect; and if suspicion fell upon me 1t would bring upon me . fate worse than death Re- momhor thorof0vo that vny f,,&,,-c s~