Evening star., 1920-02-15
FROM THE MAELSTR(
Lionel HanbrO'S Murderer

measure prepared me for that; but
1t was the visitors appearance which
deprived me of speech and motion.
AS Hambro stepped over the thres-
hold we heard the sound Of his taxi
cab rolling away. He was clad in
evening dress covered by light
fawn coat; his pumps and gloves left
nothing for desire. and q monocle
adorned his right eye. To hide his
cropped head he kept his crush hat
on. And as he was a fine figure Of
q man, and very handsome, all this
became him exceedingly.
"Yes.", said he in his deep, powerful
voice. answering Tredways' invita-
ion. that is my name. have the
privilege of addressing Mr.. Hogg
Tredways. I believe? Thank God for
that. 1 have passed through much
for this hours sake" Then he turn
cd to me with a bow. Good even
ing, chaplain" said he as cool as you
please. you always showed me kind
ness as far as you could. I throw
myself on your mercy now. on your
compassion. l want an hour or two
more OF liberty: after that do with
, me as you choose.
II will not waste time in explain
ing how I come to be here in these
conditions. in this fashion," went on
Hambro, as Tredways turned to him.
II escaped because 1 willed It.. The
details are immaterial at present. /
took refuge with a wealthy friend
at -, but his name and place of
residence I cannot. Of course, men,
tion. These clothes are his clothes.
He brought me to London in his car.
There is only one way to meet situ-
alton Of that kind. and it is the way
Of audacity. Yet it can only save
me for brief time. Mr.. Tredways,
I am a perfectly innocent man.
have lived for two years in torture
for this hour Of freedom Send me
back, gentlemen. you will and you
must: ask first that you will listen
to me-"
Turn the key in the door. Fran
Gle, and pull the curtains over the
blind" said Tredways blandly, while
I choked.
"The killing OF my cousin, Lionel
Hambro, Is a mystery for all to scan,
but there was a previous mystery in
his life which Is not common knowl-
ede," commenced the visitor, lean
ing forward with hands clasped be-
tween his knees. II know who kill
ed him-now: and that his end was
linked up with that lesser known Sc
cret of his life was long a part Of
my theory of the case. That was an
error There was no connection. But
I will speak OF both.
Five years ago my cousin Lionel
vanished In the most absolute fashion.
Six months after his disappearance the
death Of a relative made him heir to a
very considerable property II he was
to die childless that property would
pass to me. 1t was this feature In the
case which provided the motive of my
supposed crime: a powerful motive, an
undisputed incitement.
Lionel vanished. That caused no
sensation, and for the simple reason that
he sent brief line to Miss Maidie
Frere, an American lady, In her own
country, informing her that he was
going away for long time. This
brusque message Miss Frere sent across
to me, but l could throw no light upon
it, Lionel loved her sincerely, devotedly;
and yet he did not tell her where he was
going. or why-he was going, nor when
he would return. 1t seemed as heartless
as 1t was mysterious. In those few
words to her he had impaired, without
seeming to want to do 50, a note of
strange farewell, a suggestion Of serious
trouble. even OF despair Lionel disap-
peared and left no trace Three years
passed. b..
Suddenly he came back. His return
was more extraordinary than his de-
parture. Three days later he was mur-
dered."
Tredways held up an interrupting
palm. He said: -
Let me get this clear-your theory,
which we are going to hear. has no link
binding 1t with your cousins vanish
ing?
mo"
"Was Lionel man of good repute-a
good liver7" -.-
HE must have been, or Miss Frere
would never have given him her heart"
But what Is your own opinion?''
II saw so little Of him. He spent most
of his time In the Bohemian city Of
Prague" -
Indeed? What did he do in Prague?'
II believe no had q business there" :.
Ibid he ever tell you what 1t was7" J. !!
ssNo I aOrnetinAs fancied he vwaa re.