The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1905-09-13 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

CHAPTER XVI.-MB. IMEAR:S.  For woe in hie life Lawrence was utterly taken shack. He amid do no =ore than stammer out an apology and sesure the stern dark-eyed stranger that nothing in thq. way of a liberty VMS intended. "You see I have found something one" be said. "I rather hoped—indeed, I have sell hopes—that the culprit—" "What on earth are you talking about?" Charlton asked impatiently. "But, surely, my deer ear, the tragedy tbat took piece here as recently— "So recently! Ale this ie a veritable hones of tragedies. I meet get you to explain. I have tome here direct hem Paris to get certain papers. Put the gas out and ease into the dining-room where the shutters are up. We don't went the police fussing about. You can tell me everything. If I don't make a mistake you are Mr. Gilbert Lawrence, the novelist." "And I remember you now." Lawrence isedied. "So you know nothing of what has been happening lately?" The story was told at length, Chariton listening with a certain amount of interne, ele looked like a Mem under the cloud of a great sorrow, the contemplation of wince wee never far from hie eyes. , "This is an accursed house," he said presently. "My father went mad here and I committed suicide. My wife did the same thing, but than she was the victim of one of the greatest Semis that ever book mortal I guise." Charlban's melancholy eyes seemed to be fixed on space. Jest for the moment he bad forgotten that he was not alone. Lawrence ;gave a sympathetic cough. Azt matter of fact he had not yet explained whet he was doing there, and the longer the explanation was postponed the better he would pleaeol. eyott remember the case of my wife?" Chariton /eked suddenly. "Ah. I see you do. Well, I am going to tell you my story. Yon ere a man of sentiment and feeling, or your novels greatly belie you. And a doctor always respects confidence. When I my wife died there was an inquiry extending over mealy clays. The moat question I.was: Had she poi/toned herself, did she take poison by misadventure, or did I lull her? Nine people out of every tan believed I was guilty. I let them believe it at the reek of my neck, and why r! The speaker faked the question quite fiercely. "Because you loved your wife and se speobed her memory," said Lawrence. "Cornet. You ale a man after my own Ibart. sir. My wife committed eniede be-. I cause she thought / no longer lewd her, and that I had transferred my affections to the woman who acted as her companion. -That women was pereape the meet beau, tied creature I have ever seen. We never dreamt the depth of her wickednen, that she was segambler and a forger. But she was. And rhea the gaol loomed beam bee she took my wife's jewels to sell and so save herself from 'exposure. "But the never got those jewels out of the house. She wait found out by a piece of good luok--whether good or bad luck I shall leave you to guest. She had barely time to throw the gems down the well which is in the little eourteard behind the hones, and my wile isw it all. The woman was I informed that on my return from a journey ' I should be told everything. She knew thee investigation would follow. And what diff that fiend of a woman do? She forged • letter hem me in which I medq the mull violent love be Nor and asked her to See 'jOlj letter was meted end creVeidettbletee. lt was very OUST toOtiitrive that ft should find lie way into the bandit of my poor wifeelt was safe to (reckon upon her emotional temperament. She read the letter; she took from a drawer a phial of POMO sleeping draught, and elle poisoned herself" Charlton peeped end wiped hie forehead. He sp*e gel% calmly ant.' collectedly, but the great *bps etood on his face. "I got home sooner than expected, got home, in time to find my wife dead and that fatal letter in bee hand. The woman who was the cause of all the mischief entered the room just to. late to get the /ether back. She was off her guard for the instant and I saw it all a leeh. The part about the jewels I got later from one of the servants who had been afraid to speak before. "I said nothing—for my dear wife's Bake I weeeileet. You see I could prove nothing. No jury would have got anything out of the fiend who brought this about. The letter I carefully &Jemmied. I took the risk of hanging, and is people blamed me my wife's name was awed.' "I am afraid! don't follow your newelin," Bruce said. "I do," Lawrence observed. "At the time it was quite naturel. But it seemed a pity to let that woman get off scot free." A queer, lime smile came over Charlton's face. "Hennes is slow but sure," he said. "My turn will come. That letter is locked up in the sage yonder. Would you like to me it and compere it with my own onTinazy handwriting? Oh, that wee a wonderful woman:" Charlton proceeded to open a safe in the wall and took from it two fetters. "Mere," he exclaimed. "That is the letter,_ the other sheet is my own handwriting. Did you ever Bee a mare marvellous imitation? There are times when I feel as if! really mast have written the letter myself. Leek at it, Mr. Lawrence." LIMTO7IOB had pounced upon it eaiteeliHis lithe little frame was thrilling with exeitesnent. He held his head back as if sniffing at