The Cotton Factory Times. — 1906-05-04 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

CHAPTER XIX. SUSPICION GROWS BLACKER.  The result of Denis Armiger's cautious enquiries as to the manner in which the pawnbroker had come into possession of the gold link sent him to the cottage where lived a confirmed criminal. That is to say a :confirmed criminal in the eyes of Sir George Conway, and other landowners, whose preserves were constantly being ravaged by the occupier of the cottage, one Silas Green, who had been convicted more than once for poaching. Apart from this, Silas was a quiet, well-conducted fellow, and in answer to Denis's questions, he explained that the link he had sold to the pawnbroker had been found. " Now let us come to an understanding with each other, Mr. Green," said Denis. " I'll'make it worth your while to speak out plainly. You've nothing to fear from me, and you need not tell me more than you care to .ay." " About the bit o' gold, master, dye mean?" replied Silas. " Ther's no secret about it. I found it on the road a time ago. just after that affair up in Sir George's park. It was lying nigh the hedge, and I reckon 'twas dropped there a goodish bit since."  "Now, I'll ask you straight out," went on Denis. "I'll give you a sovereign if you'll tell me whether you were anywhere near the place on the night when the murder was committed in Overdone Park," and he held out the coin temptingly. "You ain't come from Sir George to ask that question?" replied Silas suspiciously. "He knows nothing of my coming to you, and I don't care whatever you were after his game or no. But you can trust me."  " Well." he began slowly, rubbing his stubbly chin, "I was in th' park that night. It wasn't for me to tell the gents at the inquest that, and so I've Vbet it to myself. I wasn't a hundred yards off the lake, and the night was as dark as I was ever out in. It don't matter what I was doing, but there came a sudden rustling among the leaves. It was like a woman's dress brushing through 'em, and I waited to find out what it meant. Then I beard voices. A man's voice and a woman's. He was asking for money, and she made answer, that he was welcome to what she'd got in her pocket. There was a name mentioned, which the man owned to. Gilbert Marlow it was. Gilbert Marlow as plain as I'm speaking it now."  'But the murdered man was identified as Stephen Manton," exclaimed Denis.  "So he might lts. bean," replied Silas. "But 'twasn't his rightfulmame. He was Gilbert Marlow. The woman spoke it two or three times." _  " What Mei did you hear?"  "They'd been speaking for about five mi9utes say, and then I heard the rustling of the woman's dress again, as if she was movingo away. After that everything was quiet until there came a shrief for help. I shan't never get the plaguy sound out of ma ears. 'Twaa so dreadful."  "Did you fro to the spot where the cry came from?" asked Denis.  " Now put it to yourself, master." replied Silos. "Would you ha' gone, bein' me? Like enough I'd. been charged with murder, if I'd been found there. No. I came home. 'Tis said one o' th' keepers heard the cry and that's all I know o' th affair."  Denis gave him the promised sovereign, and rose to take his leave.  "If You have told me the truth. Silas," he said, "the woman whom you heard speaking, could say who murdered this man."  "It was she who did the crime. I reckon," replied Silas, and Denim's heart sank. Yea. Esther Gilroy. for some reason had killed the man. How could it be doubte4?"