Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-30
Continued from Sixth Page

crime. The man who is under arrest
was seen to enter and leave the house.
Up to now, there has been no question
of any other visitor. That, however,
may be accounted for by the fact that
the landlady of the apartment was out
until Just before Higgins visit. In that
case, as you may see, Higgins story,
however improbable 1t sounds, might
we'll be true-that some one had been
in before him and committed the muir
der for which he is charged
"Just So" Sir Frederick assented,
"but, Notwithstanding that unfortunate
accident to my shirt front on the night
in question, a certain amount of COM
mon sense must be used in dealing with
an affair of this sort. What possible
motive can you imagine as being suff1-
Gent to induce me, man-you will
forgive me-of some social standing. a
scientist, a notable figure in the intel
lectual life OF today, to murder such
woman?"
with great trouble" Benskin con-
fided, 1T have been able to trace the
woman's antecedents. The first clue of
any account was much-worn illus
trated paper upon her table containing
a picture of your son. I afterward dis
covered among her effects an ancient
photograph of him.? ~
-*~* X X
CIR FREDERICK received the blow
~ without finching. Nevertheless. he
looked across the room now as a. man
might look at his approaching doom.
Il found the murdered womans sister
after much trouble" Benskin continued.
she is living in small village near
Cambridge and had to. promise that
her name should never be mentioned
before she would tell me the little she
did. While your son was at Cambridge
he married this woman. They never
appear to have lived together, but she
has had money from him for the last 10
years.
Your sons life was practically
ruined. He went to the colonies, where,
understand, his career has been most
distinguished, and. except for four years
during the war, he has never returned
| weeks ago-curiously enough, the day
after the Holme street murder-he re-
ceived a cable from you telling him to
return. He came, believe. This morn
| ings papers announce his engagement
| to the young lady to whom he has been
attached for so long"
Sir Frederick walked the length OF
the room and back again.
| Your visit is little inopportune
Mr. Benskin," he said. Tonight my
son and the woman whom he is now
free to marry are dining with me.
am hurrying on the wedding. AS soon
as that was accomplished was going
| to consider the matter as between this
| you call a bad lot is he not?"
Gone IF the WOrSt ~ RpnSkiY9 admit
| ted.
HE has been in prison several
! times?"
| "At least a dozen. Furthermore, he
| is strongly suspected of having COM
mitted murder six years ago. He was
tried for manSlaughter and only escaped
on a technicality, the year before last
Sir Frederick reached a volume down
| from g. shelf, opened it at @ certain
page, and, crossing the floor, presented
it to BenSkin.
II am not person given to self
glorificatipn," he said, "but you might
care to glance through my record. ]
have rendered what many people have
been pleased to consider great services
| to my country, and to the cause OF
science. There are highly placed per-
SonageS who must share this opinion
| for only last week 1t was intimated to
me that my name would be found in
the next list of peerages."
Benskin read the long paragraph with
respect, closed the book and handed it
back.
81 admit without hesitation" he ac-
knowledged, that the world would be
better without such a man as Higgins.
I admit also, Sir Frederick, if you will
allow me to say so, that the world owes
| you a great debt-the world of science
| and the social world. But there remains
the puz2le-what has this to do with
| justice?"
Sir Frederick shrugged his shoulders
For my own satisfaction, we will re-
construct the whole situation. have q
son-an only son-to whom am de-
voted. His whole life is being ruined
by woman without sense of honor or
Ioeoy1rv