Henderson daily dispatch., 1937-01-02
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II PRES o1AruN
CHAPTER So

out of the Swindow at Grinfold,
where a busy scene was going on,
for this was market day. Stalls
covered the cobbled square, and
further off pens were filling up
with sheep and cattle. Farmers
and their wives were busy doing
their bit of shopping, and the place
presented a peaceful aspect far re-
moved from the crime-stained
Abbey.
Lady Severinge, who had called
him from London to meet her here
to discuss the disappearance of her
children with their governess,
Queried petulantly, too, why the
detectives had not found her hus-
bands murderer.
Il should nave thought that
James was the most likely" he
said vindictively. They always
say that one has to look for some
one who stands to gain by crime,
and he's feathered his nest all
right"
do you really thing that, Eric,
or is it merely jealousy?" Hilda
asked.
What about that bell ringing
in the middle of the night ?" Eric
exclaimed. I'd have gone to see
about it, but you wouldn't let me.
Of course, it was Sir Henry ring
ing, and James answered it
James who knew he was coming in
for a fortune and had every reason
to get rid of the old man, hoping
that the blame would rest on us.
Surely you can see that. Why did
he stay on? Why is he there
noW?" Colindale was becoming
excited with his own tale, and
Hilda's eyes opened with horror.
why didn't you tell this to the
detective ?" she asked.
TITS only since l left and have
had time for thinking that I
worked this out. The affair took
us all on the hip, and things moved
so rapidly that 1 didn't grasp the
meaning"
You'll tell Mr. Selden?"
What evidence have 1 got ?" he
asked GROSSLY. And tell me an
other thing. What had Sir Henry
and James been to each other in
the past?"
Whatever do you mean?"
"You are not a fool, Hilda," he
said rudely. You surely knew
that James was no more a butler
than was-he ran the whole
show, and that oily manner of his
was all put on. They had been to-
gether for years before Sir Henry's
father died"
Then, Eric, isn't that all the
more reason why l should leave?
Don't you care about my safety?"
II don't think there is likely to
be any danger to you," he said
roughly why should there be
You haven't got anything to leave
to James, and he could kick you
out at any time if he wanted to-"
Eric, that's not very nicely ex-
pressed. l was going to suggest
that we shorten the time. and that
we should get married. That
would give you the right to pro-
:ect me and to live at the Abbey,
as the children would be your
step-daughters.
"A nice scandal there would be-"
he sneered. AT present, only
James and that lawyer know
anything about our affairs, but
you'd set every tongue wagging,
and very likely cause suspicion
you know what a village is. A
jealous husband can be dan
gerous-" He stopped abruptly,
and an ugly look came to his face.
I'll have a talk with James. .
No. Hilda, it would never do for us
to get married yet. It's just be-
cause you are scared, but If you
like I'll come down and look into
things. You see, that fellow Reid
being laid up will give me an ex-
cuse to visit the estate while he's
ill.,"
I'm so glad. You'n come back
with me today?"
mo, l can't very well do that
I've got some engagements l can't
cut, and, besides, it would look
ishy if l turned up At once"
A tortured look came to Hilda's
face. Eric, are you playing the
game? You told me you were 60
ing to visit some friends in Scot
land. What are you doing in Lon
don?"
He forced a sm1le. and took
Hilda's hand. Jealous, little girl ?
AS matter of fact. you are quite
on the wrong track. 1 have to see
Mrs. Thornton tonight. She's