Evening star., 1924-03-18
The Mystery of Lynne Court
Continued from Yesterdays starr
By ]. S. FLETCHER
Copyright lssa b N.r..a, R..instsa cunpsu.)

81 (Copyx1S1t, IS2&. ~ Ne
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continued from Yesterdays starr
Filled with strange, dreadful
fear. Hextan sprang out of bed.
huddled on some clothing, and let
himself out of his own window. He
knew that the window of Paquita's
bedroom was only two removed from
his own and he hurried to it And
then he saw, in the light OF cloud
ohscured moon, that it was open, and
he turned quickly to the balustrade
disappear amongst the trees at the
edge Of the spinney.
He knew what was happening then.
and as he clutched the cold stones he
knowledge meant Paquita was
walking in her sleep! And she had
gone to the scene of kesteven's mur-
der! 1t seemed a long time before
the white shape reappeared among
the trees She was coming back
the stairs and the balcony and her
room. She came swiftly on, and
Hextall shrank into a shadow and
watched-watched until the girl. her
Iustrous, glided by him as if she
were a, ghost and passed into her
window. And as he himself moved
he felt his arms gripped in tight.
his cheek, and Darrelrs voice, as
frenzied as his grip. was kissing i'll
his ear:
You didn't see her. 1 tell you'll
tell you. you didn't see her: You
were dreaming, you Internal fool!
Then the voice died out. and the
fierce grip was loosed, and Hextall
twisted sharply round as his host
sank at his feet with queer,
5urgllng groan-
CHAPTER XIV.
The WakefuI Footmnn.
The choking sound which escaped
from Darrell Tress' lips as he sank
unconscious on the balcony suddenly
died away, and dead silence fell
around Hextall and these strange
happenings. He himself held his
breath and stood listening. every
anticipation. He was afraid of what
he might hear through the open win
dow of Paquitas room. But
presently he heard the slight, almost
imperceptible creaking of Il bed, and
he knew that Paquita had gone back
10 her normal slumbers and was safe
Tor that time, and with a deep sigh
of relief he stopped, picked Darrell
up. and half carried, half dragged
HIM to his room and laid him gently
down on q couch near the window.
Then he ran TO his own room, took
some restoratives from his bag and
fastened back quietly and stealthily:
ne had no wish to rouse any one.
Fowler nf q
nurses. for he was afraid of what
Darrell might say when he came
round.
Darrell, brought round. suddenly
sat up with a muttered exclamation.
and stared wildly at HextaIl. And
Hextall, seeing that he was conscious
again. hastened TO close the windows.
Whatever Darrell had to say must
You" exclaimed Darrell. Tt
thought you were Walters l.
what's happened?"
Hextall. instead of replying, gave
him dose of brandy. And DarrelIs
memory came back. and he groaned
II remenher-I remember" he
almost walled. .I--oh, God, Hextall,
was it you, then. And-you saw
her?''
pull yourself together" said
Hextall. "Come-don't be frightened.
There.-you're better now. Steady,
man! and when you're calner. tell
me whatever you like"
head to and fro and mutterins to
himself, shivered, and Hextali threw
a wrap over him. But Darrell
pushed it aside with weak laugh.
~, Its not.that," that, he murmured.
sope through since-since-was it
yesterday 1 don't know. And-then
to see it with my own eyes"
Take your time, now"
"waiters told me-" said Darrell.
~Waiters--you know. One of the
footmeq. / suppose | was half asleep
or something when rushed out just
] thought you were Walters. and I
wanted TO make you-Walters. I
Tnean-believe that you-he-didn't
see--Paauita. But-oh. my God!-l
HextalI sat down at his side and
made him drink the rest of the
brandy.
Now what did Walters tell you?"
lnind was warped and confused. and
that il would never be cleared until
he had told what was troubling it:
there was, moreover, the question of
Paquita's safety to be considered.
Tell me quickly what Walters said
afraid-you're ali right. Tress."
with sudden effort 1T was early
yesterday morning-before we went
to that heastly inquest. Walters
came to me in my room. and said
he'd got something which he thought
he ought to tell me. He said that
he's lately been sleeping very badly,
and that nothing he'd taken had
done him any good, as he'd been in
the habit of walking about the
grounds and the park last thing at
night for an hour. And he said that
the other night-the night kesteyen
was shot-he'd been out that way,
and he was coming across the Dutch
garden at the end of the house there
end of this wing, you know, and
he saw--he saw Paquitai Good
God, man!--he saw Paaxita, my poor
little sister. OH
STEADY" commanded HextaIl, lay
ing his hand on Darrells wrist.
Steady now. Tress. Keep hold on
yourself What then" I've seen your
50 have you. It's not uncommon
lhing--with some people. She's had
much to distress and try her, and her
system
Darrell shook his head miserably.
"Yes, yes; but it was just about
the time that kesteven was shot, ac-
cnrding to what the doctor said,'' he
twelve and one. and Walters said
this was at, twenty to one"
But even them" said Hextall.
that was a mere coincidence. Good
heavens. man. surely you don't
think"
Darrell lifted his hands with a
gesture of despairing helplessness.