Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1905-06-24 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

CHAPTER XVIII. A Dangerous Secret.  " Yond' Cassius has a lean and hungry look, He thinks too rut.ch; such men are dangerous." —"Julius Came."  When Esmond Wilmot and his strange companion the ex-clerk in the office of Sir (3eorge Wilmot's solicitor, drove from the spot where their meeting had occurred, neither spoke until the cab drew up at the Albany, where Wilmot occupied chambers. People had wondered why be did not take up his residence at Wilmot Lodge; but since the day of the murdered man's funeral the house has been closed, and it would have taken a very great deal of persuasion to have induced Sir Esmond Wilmot to enter it.. The very neighbourhood was shunned by him, and he had oontinued in his bachelor's quarters where for a year or two he had been living. Alighting from the oab, he strode through the entrance to the Albany, Edwards following his rapid footsteps closely into the handsomely furnished dining-room of the chambers, and then with a quick, impatient movement, Wilmot closed the door and turned his set gaze upon the starved features of his companion. There is no one who call overhear what you have to say," he began in a hard dry voice. " What is you reason for wishing to see me—to speak to me in private?" "Because what I have to say is for your ears alone, Sir Esmond," replied Edwards. " need ever know what I say to you to-night. None will ever know if you pay me to hold my tongue." "Why should I pay you?" demanded Wilmot, "I am not inclined to be blackmailed, Edwards-it will be as well for you to understand that."  He spoke firmly, but underlying his calmness was a world of fear and horror. What was it that this miserable outcast needed paying for—what dread secret did he hold?  "I'm not one to blackmail, as you term it," retorted Edwards sullenly, "but what I know in worth your bearing in mind when you threaten me, Sir Esmond—worth your while fe buy and mine to sell—a fair exchange, not blackmailing." It was torture to Wilmot in masking his agony oi apprehension; but he dazed not betray the fierce desire to know the secret Edwards hinted at, and pointing to a chair, he bade him be seated. The rough command was obeyed, and standing with his elbow on the corner of the mantelpiece, Wilmot listened whilst Edwards spoke, the voice weakened with hunger and privation having a horrible power of fascination, which his listener was powerless to resist. "What I have to tell you happened on the night of your uncle's murder," began the tremulous voice.  As Edwards spoke, Wilmot's attention wags so closely fixed upon him, that the crash of a china ornament on the ma.ntelpieoe, broken by the spasmodic movement of his elbow passed unnoticed, and as though corsidering his words, the weaker paused for an instant. "It was nearly the time for closing the office,' he continued at last, "when Mr Loveday came to me, saying thit Six George wished to see the will that had been signed and witnessed by him sc.ms days ago. Maybe you do not know that he had made a fresh settlement of his property." Wilmot shook his head silently. Why Sir George wanted to examine the document again I do riot know," went on Edwards; "and Mr Loveday give it me with instructions to ieturn with it to the office. He would have gone to Wilmot Lodge himself; but he wa,s not well tint evening—it was the beginning of the illness that kept him at home for weeks afterwards." "Yes, I knew that Loveday had been ill," replied Wilmot. " Mr Loveday and I were alone in the office when he gave me the order," said Edwards, dropping his eyes from the fierce, eager gaze which was on him. , "The other clerks hid gone; but something had detained me, and I was trusted in those days," he added, with a miserable effort to laugh. "I was to remain whilst Sir George perused the and then bring it back. He was in his library when I get to Wilmot Lodge, and I went to him there. I remember as if it were only lasto:aitti seeing him bending down over the table, r the document I had brought him, and muttering something. Your name was mentioned, Sir Ea. mond, but not out loud; not to me; but Sir George spoke as if it were to himself, and then be folded the wilL nutting it back into its ealvelope.3  •  tttk  1  I ' "