The Washington times., 1923-03-07

rive minutes later MOlClSLO1I
left the police station. The in
spector's words echoed and re-
echoed in his ears. Attempted
murder! Somehow, the light of
confidence died. Though it was
q vast relief that Agnes Tallbois
had not lost her life, and so
the capital charge could never be
brought-yet something nearly as
deadly remained. If the worst
happened, If things went wrong,
the penalty was penal servitude-
for life. Philip tried to thrust
the hideous thought from him.
But he was never the man will
fully to blind himself to facts.
His wife was innocent! limo.
cent people had been condemned
liberty and honor depend on? The
view that a dozen uninterested
citizens. many of them ignorant,
some of them perhaps prejudiced,
might take of the perilous evil
dence which the police would
bring forward.
Philip hurried back to Ends
leigh Buildings. The c. 1. d.
people were still in charge. He
could do nothing useful there.
1t was suggested to him that he
had better find quarters else
where for the night. The order
1t practically amounted to an
order-was not unwelcome. To
spend the ensuing hours in that
place of tragedy which had been
his home, while Joan lay under
lock and key, would be hateful.
Through the dark streets Philip
tramped, his brain busy, a curious
train of thought connected itself
in his mind And as that line
of thought developed and took
shape, he halted on the steps of
the hotel where he was about to
seek shelter, and quickening his
pace, made for New Scotland
Yard.
The hour was late but the Yard
waiting a little while, Philip was
shown into the presence of
high official of the c. 1. d., not
the highest indeed, but the one
who was well-knoMn to him.
This gentleman, who was already
of the facts concerning
the Convent Garden tragedy,
greeted Philip with very guard
ed sympathy.
Gould not refuse you an in
teryiew, Mottisfont," he said,
closing the door. Indeed. ex-
pected YOU. AS one man to an
other, let me say how deeply
sympathize with you in this
trouble. AS an official, however,
I must tell you at once that
information whatever. The case
is too grave. And forgive me for
saying so-you are too nearly con-
nected with it."
Il want no information on that
head" said Philip, II am more
likely to give you some; when the
time comes"
What, then, can do for you?"
You will remember that I
placed in your hand certain facts
concerning one Theophilius Bell,
solicitor, purporting to be his eli
ent. l asked that these men
should be traced and watched"
The official looked surprised.
He wondered that Mottisfont
should trouble himself with that
affair at such moment.
1--WE acted on that informa-
ton" he replied. Our agents
have been busy, and we have
been successful in collecting some
facts about Vaille and Bell, which
have already put before you"
Philip brought his hand down
on the table.
GO forward with that, / beg
you, and use all your resources"
he said earnestly. These men
are blackmailers; they bled my
wife when she was in possession
of the Talbois estates"
so you have told me. 1 be-
heve you. Mottisfont, for I've
never yet found you in, error
Find them" said Philip grimly,
and one more error will be swept
away. Such a light will lie
thrown on tonight's tragedy as
will astonish you gentlemen who
sit here at your desks"
The official stared at him.
Il see no connection" he said.
"Are you serious, Mottisfont?"
do you think l came here,
with my wife's liberty at stake, to
talk nonsense?" said Philip.
He laid a sheet of closely writ
ten notes on the desk. The c. ].
d. man read them and whistled
softly.
II will do my utmost, Motifs
font" he said. This shall be fol-
lowed up. But we are cropping in
the dark-this looks to me no
more than a theory. One thing
bears you out-these two men,
and left no trace"
Are the resources of the Yard
exhausted?" said Philip acidly.
BY no means. / promise you
every possible assistance. And L
will communicate with you daily.
But" he laid a hand on Phil
Fps arm. remember. Mottisfont,
how very-delicate, shall we say?
your own position is"
Il understand that" said Philip
quietly, rising, land | thank you"
He took his leave and obtained
quarters for the night nearby.
His chambers in the temple had
been given up some time ago. OF
rest, for Philip Mottisfont, there
was none. Through the remain
der of the dark hours he sat
alone, thinking, planning, piecing
together the facts that were al.
ready to hand.-They were few
enough. Toward the dawn nature
would not be denied, and he fell
asleep In his chair-a troubled, q
nightmare sleep.
In the morning. before the sit.