Evening star., 1923-06-29

Francis Ledsam. successful criminal lawyer;
has added one more case to his brilliant record
by obtaining an acQuittal OF oiiver alioiteh
soasp.ny ~ which has epened a branch in Lon:
dep, who was accused OF numbering one OF his
ssneis IS.s% ss a nf hSe
that her husband Is guilty Of numerous brutal
criuts Deeply moved by the revs,snons: cations. ne
ssl 1ls sss sae story sssy q
ass. ss''fa as,di,eS Il so'e enter the restaurant.
Hiiditch introduces his wife To Ledsam. Be
fore the two professional men leave the res
to dine with the Hiiditches the following eve
r ri1si, aso A 'hs sas come from FRINGE. cenrratu-
lRtes the acquitted man on the fayorans END
Ing Of his case IN sourt easam M Aha Ss.n intro
dnced TO him.
CHAPTER v.
Indecision had never been one of
Francis Ledsams faults, but four
times during the following day he
wrote out a carefully worded tele-
graphic message to Mrs. oliver Hill
ditch, 10 b, Hill street, regretting his
inability to dine that night. and each
time ne destroyed II. He carried the
first message around Richmond golf
course with him, intending to dispatch
hts caddy with II Immediately on the
conclusion of the round. The fresh
cir, however, and the concentration
required by the game. seemed to dis
pei the nervous apprehensions with
which he had anticipated his visit. ana
over an aperitif in the club bar ne
tore the telegram into pieces ana
found himself even able to derive a
certain half-fearful pleasure from the
thought of meeting again the woman
who, together with her terribis story.
had never for one moment been out or
hts thoughts. Andrew Wilmore. who
had observed his action. spoke of it
as they settled down to lunch.
so you are going to keep your en-
sagement tonight, Franeis?' he OBJ
served.
The latter nodded.
AFTER all. why not :" he asked
teresting."
well. there's nothing OF the sordid
criminal, at any rate. about Oliver
Rilditch." wilmore declared. Neither,
IL one comes to think Of it. does his
wife appear to be the prototype OF
suffering virtue. wonder II you are
wise to go, Francis?"
why not?" the man who had asked
himself that question q dozen times
Already, demanded.
Because" Wilmore replied cooily
Underneath that steely hardness OF
manner for which your profession il
responsible. you have a vein of SEN
tirnent, of chivalrous sentiment,
should say, which some day or other
is DC sud to get you into trouble. The
woua = is beautiful enough TO turn
any an IS head AS matter OF fact
believe that you are more than hall
In love with her already"
Francis Ledsam sat where the sun
light fell upon his strong, forceful
face, shone. too. upon the table with
It's simple but pleasant appointments
upon the tankard Of beer by his side
upon the plate Of roast beef to which
he was already doing ample justice.
He laughed with the easy confidence
of a man awakened from some haunt
ing nightmare. relieved to find his
feet once more firm upon the ground
II have been a fool to take the
whole matter so seriously. Andrew,
he declared. Il expect to walk back
to Charges street tonight. .disiilusioned.
The man will probably present me
with gold pencil case. and the wom-
well, what about the woman2'
wilmore asked, after a brief pause.
oh. I don't know" Francis de-
woman Is the mystery. of course.
Probably my brain was a little over
excited when came out Of court, and
what ! imagined to be an epic was
nothing more than q tissue of ex-
ageefations from a disappointed wife.
However, I'm sure I'm doing the right
thing to 20 there. What about
q four-ball this afternoon. Andrew"
The four-ball match was played
and won In normal fashion. The two
men returned TO town together after
wards, Wilmore to the club and
Francis to his rooms in Charges street
to prepare for dinner. At a few min
utes to s he rang the bell OF No. 10 b,
Hill street. and found his host and