Evening star., 1920-03-07

ing at the door. Every instinct warned
him that to be caught there, in the cir
cumstanccs, would he fatal to him. lie
fled by the way he had come.
He was arrested on the following
day, trying to get back to his ship. The
imprints of his fingers, soi|ed by his
climb. We're plain on the label of the
phial. Then he admitted his stealthy
ingrcss to the house. His story was
proved to be false. because the pro-
fessor had not at once expired. He had
had time and strength sufficient to write
one line condemning Oswald Street in
the most efrcctual manner. Beyond
doubt he had been overcome by his as
sailant. Branderwine was 4 man of
poor physique. your lover man Of the
most powerful stature. To force Il few
drops down the throat of an old weak
man was an act involving little difficulty
for young, strapping giant.
9Th n, II Street was not guilty, who
was? IT was shown that the professor
locked himself in his study every even
ing for two hours work. This rule was
never broken His man servant, who
mad been with him for thirty years,
never admitted any one. Indeed, that
IIyHl tHt bopI Iltl W pt IoISth pCloIt
Branderwinc was found lifeless. Had
some one else climbed to the balcony
Most i,nproba Bile. Besides, there had
been a slight fall of snow, and it held
the impression of but one set of foot
marks--S Streets. Suicide? Not to be
imagined. The professor enjoyed his
life. Finally, he had himself written
the truth down in his last moments.
Now, what could be palmer than
this? How, in heavens name, am l or
any intellect more acute than mine, in
Ii position to clear the man who loved
YOU? What is there to catch hold of?
Where is there Il mystery in all this or
a suspicion Of mystery? You affirm that
Oswald Street was never capable of so
atrocious 4 crime. Your faith compels
admira ton. 1t is sublime. >.
Then why have. you come to me
now?" said Miss Wildrave.
Tredways got up and walked to the
window. He really had no answer
ready. We watched him, and waited.
He drummcd on the pane with impa-
tient fingers.
"ls this the room where the thing
happcned?' he asked.
Yes"
The wrousht-iron balcony was built
the width OF the house. Outside was
a quiet. rather private road. with a
railed-in strip Of garden filled with
azalcas whose somewhat sickly per-
fume was waited through the open
window. Beyond was a narrow road
used only by tradesmen's carts. and
the view was ended by the backs OF
the opposite houses.
"Why am l here?'' echoed my friend
at last returning. ut is Il mistake.
! should not have troubled you. One
cannot make bricks without straw.
Regard this affair from every point
of view and one glimpses no shred of
shadow OF mystery. ] cannot invent
it, you will admit 1t is as simple Il
matter as that OF the case of a man
who shoots another in broad daylight,
in crowd Your lover was the
cause OF Prof. Brandcrwinc's death
Whether he was the indirect cause
matters not to me. Can you really
believe, in your heart OF hearts, this
story of his about Branderwinc ask
ing him to hand him poisonous
draught?'
THAT means that YOU yourself dis.
credit it," asked the girl.
Yes, indeed" was the blunt re-
sponsc.
I'm that case. ] will relieve your
doubts altogether and complete your
skepticism," said Miss wildrave with
sudden resolve.
II will tell you OF an incident which
Will case you Of any embarrassment
in abandoning the matter, ! had been
in the habit OF meeting Oswald once
or twice week in a certain part OF
Hyde Fark, after dusk, in a glade
which We loved for its beautiful syca-
more and its comparative privacy ,
After l was forbidden TO see him
kept away; but one evening ! turned
in that direction just for old times
sake. with no thought OF finding HIM
The light of full moon was descend
ing through the tops of the trees, aud
by il ] saw Oswald standing notion
less, AS IL waiting for me. His back
was toward me. but ! knew ii was
Oswald. for he was wearing his naval
uniform. stopped, undecided ] had
given my word not to yield to any
request for an interview. At that in
stant he turned round and / saw his
face. lt---il-"
The eilJ pausel She winad her,