Bisbee daily review., 1915-06-27
CHAPTER V
Contains Certain Condolences.

As I dashed forward to the gap in the boundary wall of the wood, l near ly stumbled over form lying across the narrow path.
 So dark was it beneath the trees that at first I could not plainly make out what it was until l bent and my hands touched the garments of a wom. an. Her hat had fallen off, for ] felt 1t beneath my feet, while the cloak was a thick woolen one.
 Was she dead, l wondered? That cry-that single word of reproach- sounded in my ears, and it seemed plain that she had been struck down ruthlessly after an exchange of angry words.
 I felt in my pocket for my yestas. but unfortunately my box was empty. Yet just at that moment my strained ears caught a soUnd-the sound Of someone moving stealthily among the fallen leaves Seizing my gun, l de. manded who was there.
 There was, however, no response The instant spoke the movement ceased
 It seemed evident that a tragedy had occurred, and that the victim at my feet was a woman. But who?
 Of a sudden, while l stood hesitat ing, blaming myself for being without matches, l heard the movement re peated. Someone was quickly reced ing-escaping from the spot I sprang through the gap strainiug my eyes into the gloom, and as l did so could just distinguish a dark figure recediug quickly beneath the wall of the wood
 In an instant l dashed after it. Down the steep hill to the Scarwater l fol lowed the fugitive, crossing the old footbridge near Penpont and then uI a wild winding glen towards the Cairnmore of Dough. For a couple of miles or more | was close behind m til, at a turn in the dark wooded glen where it branched in two directions, lost all trace of the person who flew from me. Whoever it was they had very cleverly gone into hiding in tho undergrowth Of one or other of the two glens-which, l could not decide.
 I stood out of breath the perspira ton pouring from me, undecided how to act
 Was it Leithcourt himself whom had surprised?
 That idea somehow became i'm pressed upon me, and ] suddenly re solved to go boldly across to Rannocl and ascertain for myself Therefore with the excuse that l was belated or my walk home, l turned back dowT the glen, and half an hour afterward entered the great welllighted hall Of the castle where the guests, ready dressed, were assembling prior to din nor.
 was welcomed warmly and just then Leithcourt himself joined his guests, ready dressed in his dinner jacket, having just descended from his room.
 'Hulloa Greggl" he exclaimed heart fly, holding out his hand. Had a long day of it, evidently. Good sport witt Carmichael--ehF
 Very fair" l said. 'I remained longer with him than l ought to have done, and have got belated on my way home. SO looked in for a refresher"
 "Quite right" he laughed merrily ! You're always welcome, you know ! I'd have been annoyed if ] knew you had passed without coming in."
 And Muriel, a pretty figure in low cut gown of turquoise chiffon, stand | ing behind her father smiled secretly at me. l smiled at her in return, but it was a strange smile, ] fear, for witt 1 the knowledge of that additional mys ] tery within me-the mystery of Che woman lying unconscious or perhaps dead. up in the wood-held me stupe l fled.
 had suspected Leithcourt becaus, of his constant trysts at that spot, bu l l had at least proved that my sus l picions were entirely without fomda ] ton. He could not have gone hom, and dressed in the time, for ! had l taken the nearest sT0ute Co the castl' while the fugitive would be compelled to make a wide detoU.
 only remained a few minutes, theI went forth into the darkness again utterly undecided how to act My ars J impulse was to return to the womani aid, for she might not be dead aftel all.
 (To be eontmued)