The Haslingden Gazette. — 1907-03-30 (Haslingden, Lancashire, England)

THE DETECTIVE'S EXPLANATION.  WATSON WARD hastened back to his office. 0.. the way he stopped at a post office; despatched telegram. It bad the effect of bringing Nellie Frampton promptly to the detective's office in " You have some news," she said eagerly, as she hurriedly entered his presence, "or you would not have sent for me, Mr. Ward."  " Don't know exactly that it is news, Miss Hampton. My object in wiring was rather that I wanted to hear something from you—or get • tontirmation of something I have learned." "Anything which proves-ah, pray tell me ...Mr,..Lisle's innocence 7"  ."111, well, goe;.;.ii-ttle way towards it." "I ass so thankful! Oh, you can't tell how much! And Mr. Geoffrey Grey? What has he —anything—to do with it?" "Ah ! Yon touch the spot there ! That is just what I am trying to find out." "But you surely don't think--" " I do more than think, Miss Hampton—unless my clues are all wrong. I am hoping to get verification of my suspicion that when Hr. Lisle is released, Grey will be the man to take his place." " la—it —possible " "I think—hope so. Hope, you know, because I believe in Mr. Lisle's innocence. Equally I believe in Mr. Grey's guilt. The one will prove the other-4 sort of douhle-barrelled set." „  " But Mr. Grey, of all otherit ! What positible motive could he have had 7"  - .... " Pont let no dismtis that, Miss Hampton. Let us rather look at the fnets. lam given to understand that Mr. Grey was ill the habit of Coming to your plaee'in the evening, after dinner." " Yes That is so." .•  " Often ? " " Once or twice —thrice sometimes —a week." Yes. I gathered as much. And the last time of his so calling ? " The girl thought a moment; seemed to read from the detective's face that much depended on the accuracy of her reply. Answered : " On Monday last." "'Sure ? He didn't pay a visit on Wednesday —the night .of the murder ? "  " Oh, no! I am quite sure of that. Quite positively eel lain. We were alone and had Ili, visitors at all that night. My pother hail intended dining out, but I was not feeling very well, and she stayed -at home with tile. 1 am so clear of it, because I was very unwell that evening. and soon after dinner I went up to my bedroom. 'My mother was nervous about me, and came and sat at toy bedside talking until I fell asleep. I am sure that could not have been until half-past ten, and it is quite clear that Mr. Grey would not call after that hour." " That iA what I wanted to ascertain from you, Miss Hampton. You see, on the night of the murder, Grey was not at home. I have ma& inquiry and found that he was not at his club It will be fur hint to say. later, where he was. My suspicions shape that he was 'at Maismore Mansions."  "Realty ! What makes you think that ? Do tell me --please... " The 'murdered women wrote Rim a letter night before she was killed. Sent'ft by exprewt messenger to Mr. Drey. In that letter she, matt Wally, commanded him to call on her at nine o'elock on the following night." " Mis -ter —Ward !" She voiced her surprise. How can you possibly know that The detective smiled ; it was tooth .a remmon itiattirir falron his ears.