The Cotton Factory Times. — 1906-04-06 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

CHAPITR VII. AT UPPER NORWOOD.  Denis Armiger was back in his chambers in Stone's Inn, and seated beside the fire, his thoughts travelled over the events in which he had, as it seemed to him. taken a share sitioo he journeyed down to Overdeno Grange. The strangeness of the murder beside the lake ; the recognition of the dead man: the nteeting with Esther Gilroy, and Cecil's determination to marry her, after their brief engagement, all passed in rapid sequence through his mind as he sat idly looking into the glowing fire. " Most people would pronounce Cecil a fool, I suppose.' mused Doris, " for rushing into matrimony in this fashion, People who didn't know Esther Gilroy, that is to say. She is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. But everything is very, very strange. Why was Stephen Nlatitun in the grounds eof Overdone Grange? Who murdered him? For what purpose was I shown that horrible scene in the crystal—that and the first one in which the woman was seen? Who was she? Is there any association between the acts I saw:"  lie roused himself. giving a glance at the crystal, which stood on the inantelpiece where lap had placed it, and then, going to the table, took up a letter. It was from an old acquaintance, asking for advice and directions in rather a difficult matter, and begging Denis to pay him a visit as soon as poscible. The letter was a week old, having been delivered during Denise absence.  "I'll go to-night," he muttered. "There'll be trouble for Keith, unless I can set him straight. Yes. I'll go to Upper Norwood at once."  It was ;miserable evening, rain owning in driving gusts, as Denis walked out of the station upon arriving at his destination. The flickering lamps were reflected upon the drenched path, and none save those who were compelled by either business or urgent need were in the streets as he passed by the shuttered shops, considering tho purpose with which he had left London. Turning presently, be continued his quick walk, in the direction of his friend's house that lay some distance from the main thoroughfare. Between this and the house was a row of small tenements of the poorer class, the windows overlooking the roadway, standing back a little from it, and having a low wooden fence. guarding them.  From one, the cheerful light of afire 'shone redly upon the murky air, and as Denis came up the warmth and -comfort of the room within contrasted 80 strongly with the cold inclement night that he paused a moment, and glanced in through the oncurtained window. And as he did this, an involuntary ejaculation broke from his lips, for before him was being repeated the scene las had witnessed when he gazed upon the crystal. The firelight shone upon the golden hair of a woman who stood beside the hearth, and again he saw the downward glance upon her hand. Ifer face was turned towards hint as she held up the ring she had been gazing at. and cast it into the blazing fire. There was a flash of triumph in her lustrous eyes as they looked straightly towards the window, and Denis shrank back fearing recognition, for the woman was Esther Gilroy.  Then someone had pushed past him; a tall, stoutly built figure that thrust into the house, and looking again, Deals saw the woman turn sharply, shrinking as though appalled by something he could not see. The door of the room had opened, and at the same instant the curtain at the window fell, hiding the 1110eDe.