Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-06
CHAPTER XVII.

T 7 ELEM sat staring with eyes OF
the "a. tasls: e.. -. 49, .,''.,,.s.
staring also at the ring. nov
that y are more composed, tell me arl
over again"
Helen shivered, bowed her head and
spoke.
Last evening. as I rode, I met Capt.
for I hate the man, but he persisted
We reached the little wood they call
the Fallowdene Dingle, and he Sug-
gested we ride through it"
"Ah-'twas himself suggested the
wood?"
Yes, aunt: did so because It's the
shortest way back to the village. /.
And there lay Julian Guyfford-dead
And beside his dead hand-this!" And
she pointed trembling finger at Sill
Richards signet ring.
And" inquired the duchess, "shure
the captain saw 1t, too?"
Twas he picked 1t up. He said
Surely have seen this ring before
Ay, this is Sir Richard Guyfford's sig
nett and then, Here is evidence shall
verify hang him-if foundl He quar-
relied with this unfortunate gentleman
so bitterly! And now we flnd his ring
beside the murdered body of this poor
gentleman! If found here, this shall
assuredly hang Sir Richard!"
Now tell me phwat you said, every
syllable, me dear"
Then. aunt, told him it must not
be found. and tried to snatch the ring
from him. Give it to me- And he
not complying. I-I-found myself . {.
StOODin0 to plead with him."
And phwat says hep"
Shook his head, aunt. But, Helen,
says he. If we suppress such evidence,
we make ourselves accessories after
the fact, which is grave and heinous
o6ense.' No matter says I. Give
me that ring"
And then he gave it thee. av course"
He did," answered Helen. Take
It, Helen says he; 'henceforth we
are fellows in crime And he-smiled!"
And no wonder!" nodded the Ouch
ess, frowning, for fellows in crime y
are indeed, miss"
mean?"
That y are to be the proice O. this
gentleman's silence"
"Oh!" gasped my lady. ooh, aunt,
what other could ha' done?"
We'll, you might ha' left this lying
ring-lieing"
Lying ring? Then, oh, then you
think it would ha' borne false testi-
monv? You don't think he"
What I think is neither here nor
there-tis phwat I know!"
And what do you know"
ford"
My lady sat silent for quite one mo-
NnAnf then Siphad She
Dear aunt. let us consider! Is it
love to -. . dread his dishonor. to
fear for his safety, to pity him in his
loneliness, to long to comfort him,
yearn to plague him, anger him, soothe
him, aid him, share his dangers, belong
to him? If this be so why
Rogue" chuckled the duchess.
"Come, kiss mel"
And you believe in him, despite his
Ill repute?"
Here was knocking on the door, and
Betty, my lady's maid, appeared,
breathless, flushed and agog with news.
"Oh, my ladies!" she exclaimed.
This horrorsome murderl Such
tales! Some do say as the poor, MUIR
waymen, the Galloping Parson, or Black
Nick, but most folks seems to think
'twere neither, nam, but another
As"
Another? Who, girl?" demanded
Helen.
why, ma am. they do say as this
deed were commit by the wicked and of
his cousin, Sir Richard Guyff-"
UP sprang my lady, graceful land
fierce almost) as a panther.
Woman" cried she, hold that
hairl Col"
Betty fed, but beyond the door VEN
tured to turn.
"Oh, my lady," she gasped, mo Of
tense. But, oh. a'am. if poor Sir
Richard amt guilty, why has he run of
and vanished himself away?"
Vanished? What do you mean?"
"Only what every ones a-saying, how
Is s. Richard on the very night o. the
horrorful deed, my lady. he mounts
his fastest horse and gallops away.
And no eye had seed nor ear yet heered
him since, my lady,"
Here at imperious sign from her mis-
tress Betty curtseyed again and closed
herself out of the room.
"To-run away!' whispered Helen
''Why should he? What can we do?"
Nothing" answered the duchess,
snow, but we'll have him paying us
surprise V1SlC one o tneSe ZONE nlGnLS
fly do as bid ye."
What? Oh, tell mel"
whist, me dear-let me whisper"
The Marquis of Merivale sighed,
moaned, and, opening unwilling eyes,
blinked at his servant, FRANCHISE.
'Smatter, Francoise?" he inquired
drowsily.
"Sir Richard Guyfford's gentleman,
Mr.. Gregory, waits below"
Gregory, eh?" quoth the marquis.
"S' early, too! wonder what?
Send him up and let nobody disturb
us"
The marquis had achieved complete
wakefulness when Gregory entered,
bowed, closed the door, and showed a
wise e unwontedly troubled.
well, Greg, what news?"
None. my lord. Sir Richard has r. t
come home
odd, Gregory: curst odd, Ell? 1t