The Storyteller.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2097, 25 January 1908, Page 3 (Supplement)

The Storyteller.

THE MAKOR MYSTERY

By FERGUS IIUME Author of “The Mystery of ;i Hansom Cab,” ‘‘Tito Judo Eye,” “Tho Black Batch,” “Jonah’s Luck,” “Tho Scarlet Bat,” otc. [All Rights Reserved.] CHARTER VII.

The verdict was only what could be expected, since there was no evidence obtainable likely to even hint at the name of the assassin. 1 rusk and Swanson had done their best, but the mystery was too deep for even their official brains to unravel. Certainly Sir John had been seen to enter tiie Cuckoo's Grove somewhere about- the hour of seven, and that- was the last lime he was beheld alive. That he had been stabbed in the wood was unquestionable, and the most extraordinary thing w-as that the body had been taken secretly to •the vault under Abbot Hurley s lower. Iho word secretly may be used advisedly, as no one had seen the removal of the corpse. Also, in spite of all inquiries, no one could say that any suspicious character had been seen in the vicinity. The end of the inquiry left the mystery ol the death where it was. 1 Now that- the inquest was over nothing remained but to bury tho body, and to read the dead man’s will. The corpse was taken to Jamdon immediately, and buried the next day in Kensal Green, and Mr Clair, with many other people, went to the funeral. Richard, who ought to have been chief mourner ,was still abroad, and had given no sign of existence. But, sooner or later —it depended upon the nature of the errand" upon which Sir John had sent ■him—lie would return, and then no doubt a reward would he offered for the detection of the murderer. Notwithstanding what Mrs Broil said, everyone expected that tho millionaire would leave his large fortune to his twin brother, since he had no other relation, and had always been fond of Richard. But perhaps the fondness might not go so far as to entrust such a scamp as Richard hna 'reputation'• <*? wait -a large fortune. In the hands of the suiriving twin, the hard-earned gold of Sir John might prove a curse to its new possessor. Down at /Beltan excitement waned with the giving of the verdict and the removal of the corpse to its restingplace in Ivensal Green. People still talked more or less, and suggested reasons millionaire should have been niordered, hut gradually began to look upon tho crime as one of those mysteries which would never he solved until the Day of Judgment. Yet the Cuckoo's Grove was invested with a sinister reputation by reason of tho murder, and lovers who formerly used* to haunt it on summer nights no longer went there. As to the vault, it was locked up again, and the key was restored to the niche. Trusk pointed out- to Mr Clair that this should be done, as the presence of the key might prove a trap for the assassin. It might be that the murderer, knowing tho way to the vault, mighj;_yetiu'n there again, and, findthe key, might re-enter, in which case he would certainly fall into the hands of the police. To provide against this contingency Trusk directed the rural constable to hover round Abbot Hurley’s Tower at odd times, by night and by -day. Mr Cla-ir consented unwillingly to this arrangement, and the inmates of the Manor still felt the influence of the crime hanging over the house, since the presence of Hobson constantly reminded them that such a tragedy had taken place. Hallon went up to town with Mr Clair for the funeral, but the next day ho returned to the Minters’ cottage. He was an intimate friend of the young couple, and came and went at will. Indeed,' Billy had once or twice jokingly proposed that TV illy should marry him; but the girl sternly refused'. She was determined co remain a spinster; and, moreover, knew that Percy loved Dorothy, which put any marriage with her out of the question. When Billy learnt that his friend was an accepted -lover of the pretty Dorothy, he congratulated him w r ith marked onvy. “Of course I wish you luck and all that sort of thing,” said. Billy, over _ii,i.n» ~—hisTa-fter-five-o’ clock tea pipe. “But I wish I was the lucky man.” “You pay a great compliment to my taste,” said Hallon, gravely. “But I didn’t know that you were in a . the field.” _ “I -have been for -a long time, ’ ‘ said Billy, with a huge sigh. “But Willy objected to mv taking a partnor. She .wants us to bo bachelors

•all our days.” “Oh, nousen.se, my dear chap! Willv is sure to meet tho right man sooner or later, and then you will be freo to make some delightful girl Mrs Min ter. I’ll dance at your wedding some day.” “Huh! It seems that I’ll have to dance at yours first. Mighty hard lines-; —'seeing I’m in lovo with the bride.” Hallon laughed. Billy’s affection ■was but skin deep; and' he was one of those inflammable young men .whofell in love regularly, once a month, with any pretty girl who happened to be at - hand. “I’ll trust you,” he said, smiling. “Come to tho wedding by 'ill means.” “If it ever takes place,” said Billy, shaking his young head. “Lovo won’t run smooth in your caso ,you know. Old Clair wants Dolly to marry money.” “I have enough for us to live on, Billy.” i'f '^ a *^jbwJ-are3 ay .and you’re a rattling i;.£ good sportsman into tho bargain; but i ' Mr Clair wanted thousands.” A “He may get them —from Sir John i 5;. Newby’s estate.” Billy started. “What makes you ■ think that, Percy?” “Oh, I have no reason to think ; so. It is simply a guess on mv part.” “Your guess may provo to be i~ truth,” said Billy, thoughtfully. “After all, Newby and Clair were very thick; so out of his millions that 1 poor chap might leave Clair a good income. I’m sure I hope so, as it’s hard lines on an old family to come down in the world. And if Mr C!a;r dees get money,” ended Billy, screwing up his face, “I hope he’ll give us bettor dinners. Oh, my soul how I have starved at those feasts!”

“l novcr bothered about the food there.” “Because you lived oil lovo.” “And still live on it,” said Million, rising atul stretching himself. “Well, I'm off to the Manor. AYhilo the cot's away the mice may play.” | “Can’t 1 come and play also?” asked Billy, ruefully. “Certainly uot! Much as 1 c.sroeni you, 1 prefer to bo alone vTh Dorothy. Two’s company, and three's i nuisance.” -Well,” said Billy,sighing. ‘ 'you're a lucky bargee. I'll take out the car for a spin. And, I say, bring Billy back in time for dinner. She s always late. She's at the Manor, -rith Dolly.” “Oh. Willy is discreet enough to make herself scarce,” said Ballon, lightly, and strolled to the gate, looking very smart in his white flannels and Panama hat. Billy followed rapidly. •■I say Percy, one moment,” lie s aid, letting his friend out, and then leaning over the gate, “do you think anyone in the Manor murdered that poor chap?” “No! Why do you think so?” asked Percy, quickly. “Well, the plan of the catacombs under the tower was torn out of the book, you know,” said Billy, thoughtfully. “Someone in the house must have done that,”

“I don't see it. A visitor may have committed the vandalism. Clair often has archaeological people down to see the house and tower; tnd those gentry are not scrupulous in annexing anything ol .’ha* sort. They are as bad as stamp collectors. I wouldn’t leave a stamp

maniac alone with a collection for worlds. He’d steal for sure.” “Daresay,” said Billy, laconically, “but lie wouldn’t steal a plan wi hoi,t an object—the catatomb plan I mean. I’ll bet you what you like, Percy, that the chap who annexe* .lint plan murdered Newby.” “Perhaps,” said Ballon, thoughtfully. “It is certainly strange that die plan should bo missing; yoc Midair cannot tbink who could have stolen, it.”

“Oh. a pompous old ass, such as J. Clair is. never thinks of possib'l ties. Percy,” said Billy irreverently. “I wonder if Willy knows, anything about that missing plan?” “Why, what tho deuco do ~ou mean?” asked Ballon, wheeling sud I denly. “Well, Willy has something on her mind connected with the _ murder, J and she won’t tell mo what it is. Remember she found the knife and tho hat in the Grove. Why should she? “I don’t know if you’re off your head, Bill,” said Percy, sternly, “but you seem to infer that your sister is mixed up in the matter.” ‘“Nothing of the sort,” cried Billy, furiously; “how you do catch a chap ip, I only say that "Willy’s such a ■sharp girl, that she may have stumbled oil some evidence likely to show who stoic tho pi-in. If she has. probably that is what took her to the Cuckoo’s Grove. She knows somedihrn,” said Billy, decisively, I m •ertain. I’ve asked her again and igaiu, but She always tells mo to shut up.” .. ~ ir ~ “Then I’ll ask her, said Ballon, Irmly. “If Willy knows anything ikely to elucidate this mystery, she 'mist speak. Hullo, here she comes! It was, indeed-, Miss Minter who walked- rapidly down the lane where ;he cottage was situated. She lookad healthy and pretty, and came on with her usual firm strido; yet Hal-, on noted, -.is she drew near, that her irows were wrinkled with thought, j uid that she -appeared worried. “I say,” he remarked, when she reached the gate, “here’s Billy sayng that you know something about this murder.” “Billy’s an ass,” said Miss Minter, briefly, and removed her straw hat to fan her hot face . “Yes, you do,” insisted her brother. “I believe you know who took that plan of the catacombs.” “Perhaps you accuse me?” said Willy, scornfully. “Huh! Who’s the -ass now? But ? 0-u do know something. Tell it to Percy, here, -and help him to marry Dorothy.” “How would my telling -him of niv suspicious help ?” “Oh,” said Ballon, all on the alert, “ then you do suspect someone?” “Well, yes,” said Willy, slowly, “although I have no reasonable grounds for such a suspicion. But low will my telling you help the marriage?” “"Well, you see,” explained Ballon, knowing what was in Billy s mind. “Mr Clair naturally wants to know who killed- his friend. Ho will not be over-pleased at my proposing to Dorothy, and may make objections—in fact, I am sure that he will. T f I help him to discover the truth about this crime, he may let mo marrv his daughter.” All's Minter looked from one young man to the other, and then at the pretty cottage, where tho climbing red roses blushed in tho sunshine. “Billy,” she said; suddenly, “swear you’ll -hold your tongue.” u l swear!” said Billy, giuffly. “What’s up?” “And swear,” added his sister, turning to Hallon, “that you will not be angry with what I am about to

soy.” “I swear!” said Hallon, promptly and uneasily. She seemed to be so much in earnest that he felt nervous. “I don’t, know if my telling you of mv suspicions will help,” said Willy, deliberately, “but I have an idea that Mr Clair knows the—” “Oh,” Hallon interrupted her fiercely, “that’s absurd. -“Perhaps it is,” said Willy composedly, and related the grounds upon which she suspected Clair. “And that was why I went to the Grove, she ended, triumphantly. “It’s all bosh!” cried her brother, vehemently; “and it doesn t explain who stole the plan.” “Mr Clair may have torn it out himself,” said Willy quickly, “in order to prevent any discovery of the vault, where lie hid the body. Percy, what do you think?” “I can’t give an opinion yet,” sai-1 Hallon, slowly. “Of course, Clair was absent from the Manor about the time of the murder, and ho was near tho Grove by his own confession. But there is no apparent reason why ho should murder Sir John. Also, it it ridiculous to think that- a- gentleman like Mr Clair would condescend

to vulgar murder.” “And then, of course, he could not have brought tho body to the vault j

alone,” said Billy, -disdainfully. “I thought of that myself,” said Willy, sharply. “I daresay that I am making a mountain out of a molehill. All tho same, Air Clair's movements on that night an; mysterious. And then, again, Lady JPanwin ;:> very nervous übout him.” “I remember that,” said Hallon suddenly, as ho rocolloctod tho behavior of tho old lady when tho murder was announced, and also tho collapse of Air Clair. “Bile looked at th-.it picture over tho piano— that Georgian, soldier—an ancestor, I suppose.” “What, lias that to do with what wo. aro talking about?” asked Billy, crossly. “Nothing, I suppose, and yet it seems all of a. piece. I’ll havo a talk I with Lady Panwin when I go up, and ask some loading questions.” “About what?” “1 hardly know as yot,” said Ballon, somewhat puzzled. “Ask her why sho does not want you (o marry Dorothy,” said Willy, pointedly. “What?” cried Percy, angrily, and with great amazement. “Yes, Dorothy told mo. She doesn’t wont Dorothy to marry anyone.” “Oh!” Hallon douched his hands, and thought- Then suddenly, and I without a word of farewell, ho wheel- ] ed and fairly ran up tho lane. I “What’s up now?” -asked .Billy.

startled by this move. “There’s going to bo trouble at the Alanor,” said Willy, woarily. ‘I wish I hadn’t spoken now, but I havo, so there’s nothing left for -it but to allow Percy to do what ho likes. And mind vou hold your tongue ,Billy. 1

don’t want the detectives down here.” “But do you really believo that Mr Clair murdered Sir John?” asked tho young man, in an awed voice. “Oh, don’t bother me I You know all that I know. Think for yourself.” Meanwhile, Hallon was speeding up the road 1 in tho direction of tho

Manor. On the faco of it, he could not believe that Clair was guilty, and yet Lady Panwin seemed to bo anxious about him. Was it becauso she suspected or perhaps knew, that ho had killed Newby that she urged Dorothy not to marry? Here was another mystery, but ono which' Hallon was resolved to fathom by direct questions. He soon arrived at the Manor, and rang the bell. Jules, looking more meek and mild than ever, appeared and showed him into

the drawing-room. Lady Panwin was seated on the sofa tatting as usual, and looked anxious. She started when Hallon entered the room abruptly, and spoke angrily. “The younger generation have no manners,” said Lady Panwin, wratlifully. “How dhre you enter like a bull into a china shop.” “I beg your pardon,” said Hallon, politely, “but I am worried, and manners are apt to go when one 'is worried.” “What is the matter?” asked Lauy Panwin, sharply. “Have you and Dorothy quarrelled. All the bettor — it will .make the parting easier. Lou understand, Mr Hallon?” “I understand that you don't with mo to marry Dorothy,” said ill a young man, gravely. “Willy Min tor lias just told me.” “And who told her.” “Dorothy herself. 1 have come to ask why you object to me?” “You arc mot sufficiently rich; you have no position,” said Lady Pan-* win sternly; but she dropped her work and glanced again at the portrait over the piano. I Hallon’s eyes followed her gaze, I and he shook his head. “You are playing with me,” lie said, slowly. “I would rather know the truth.” I “You tire not a suitable husband for my niece.” “That is not tlio reason. Willy told me, as Dorothy informed her, that you don’t wish any marriage with any -man.” I “'lt is true,” sad Lady Panwin, almost inaudibly. I “And your reason,” slid Hallon, I venturing to make a stray shot, “is I connected with that portrait.” The old woman started up with an agitated face. “What nonsense are you talking?” she asked, sternly. “Why should that portrait influence me with regard to your preposterous engagement to my niece.” “You looked at it just now when you made excuses,” said Hallon, promptly, “amid you looked at it on the night when I announced the murder and Mr Clair nearly fainted.” “Oh, hush! Oh, hush!” she cried, and moved swiftly to the door. This she opened and listened, then closed it again. “I hear the sound of carriage wheels,” she said, returning more composed. “My brother is probably coming back. Go, before ho arrives.” “Not until I know why you don’t want Dorothy to marry me.” “She shall not marry you, nor any man. There is a reason.” “What if I guess the reason.” , “You cannot,” murmured Lady Panwin', very white and vciy determined. “I believe I do,” said Hallon, slowly, and staring at her between the eyes, so as to dominate her with his will. “You fear lest your brother should know something about the murder.” ’ “I do not! I do not!” panted Lady Panwin, and glanced towards the near window, through which could be seen a fly stopping at the door. “It’s not that. Go! Go! I beg of you to go before Francis comes.” “No ! I shall stop anil ask him to explain.”

Lady ,I’anwiin sprang forward and oaiught him by the arm. “Then you must know —you shall know. I am ready to tell you . That portrait” —sho pointed to the Georgian soldier—“is my great-grandfather. Ho was a lunatic—ho died in Bedlam. There is Insanity in tho Glair family, and if you marry my niece you will transmit it to your children.” “Oh!” Hallon was suddenly enlightened; “then when your brother was so upset that night, you dreaded lest he should have gone mad ;.nd have killed Sir John.” “You have no right to say chat—you have no right.” “Lady Pan.win, be plain with rt e,” said Percy, greatly agitated. ‘You know that I love your niece, that I am a true friend.” “If you are—if you are, hold your tongue. Say nothing of what I hate just said to you.” She ebook lum in her- excitement. “No, I shall not,” agreed Hallon, soothingly; “but be plain. Did—' “He did not —he could not. His brain is weak, but he would never, he would never —oh!” she broke off, “why should he, when he hail 1.0 mo-

tive to commit so dastardly a crime.” Voices were heard in tha hall, and with an imploring gesture I.te.’y Pan-

win pointed to tlio window. Hallon ran to it, opened it, and slipped <n to the terrace. Tlio next moment, ho heard Clair’s voice raised in excited tones as lie entered tlio diuwingrooiu ‘ ' “Solinu! Selina I I innoris two thousand a year by Newby's will.” CHAPTER VIII. Hallon walked swiftly down the avenue, with the excited words ot Mr Clair ringing in bis ears. Lady Panwin bail asked what motive her brother could have to murder the millionaire —always presuming that ho was guilty, which was not yet wholly proven! —and tlio man himself had replied to the question, unknowingly. And Percy asked it now of liimsolf: Would Mr Clair assassinate his best friend to obtain two thousand a year? It was impossible to obtain an answer. The young man now saw very plainly the reason for l.ady I’anwin’s fears. If, as she insisted, tlhoro was insanity in the Imiiily, inherited through the Georgian greatgrandfather, it might lie that the same had shown itself in the present’ > head. A homicidal mania might have induced him to murder Newby; but if this were granted, what became of the monetary motive. Either Clair had committed the deed in a moment of frenzy, or he had deliberately planned the crime for a certain consideration', which was explained by the inherited income.

As to tlio first of these theories, an unexpected homicidal attack would come on without premeditation, in which case Clair assuredly would not have been possessed of the knife at the moment. In fact, if he believed himself to be the victim of such a frenzy, ho would refrain: from carrying any lethal instrument, especially such a deadly-looking weapon as that with which the crime had been committed. In dealing with the second, Hallon reflected that if Clair hail deliberately intended to murder Newby he could easily have lured him to the vault, there to fulfil his purpose. That would have been both sensible and' safer. Hut Sir John had been stubbed in the Cuckoo’s Grove, and. his body—a remarkably heavy one —-had been dragged to the vault, at the risk of discovery. A man advisedly intending murder would not have behaved in so rash a manner.' Also, Mr Clair was far too frail a man to carry the corpse all that distance .Looking at one theory and at the other, Hallon finally dismissed them both. Clair, jie truly believed, and, in the face of circumstantial evidence, was absolutely innocent. Lady Panwin’s fears and NVilly Winter's doubts were all moonshine. Having come to this reasonable conclusion, Hallon rid his thoughts of tlio subject, and turned to consider how lie was to overeme Lady Panwin’s opposition to his marriage with Dorothy. Clair certainly'Vould he against the match, and now that he was about to receive two thousand a year would he more bent than ever on bis daughter marrying some influential man, likely to benefit the fortunes of tlie reduced Clairs. Hallon knew that lie could satisfy the old gentleman on the score of pedigree, since he came of aristocratic stock, and there were but two lives between himself and a baronetcy. But he assuredly was not rich, and was forced to earn his living, so it was probable—as Billy prophesied —that the course of true lovo would not run smoothly. But. L.idy Pan--' nun influenced her brother so greatly that .if she could be brought to countenance the match, Mr Clair might be induced to agree. But to' enlist the sympathy and help of Lady Panwin it was necessary to meet her on this burning question of inherited insanity. It had never struck Hallon. that Clair was insane, although he considered him weak and pompous and fussy about trifles. And Dorothy herself was singularly cool-headed and self-controlled. Lady Panwin’s theory seemed to be ridiculous. Yet, as Hallon knew, insanity might show itself later in lifo if it lurked in the family, and lie shuddered at the idea of marrying into such a decadent race. Much as lie loved Dorothy, if he could be certain that her aunt spoke the truth he was prepared to ; give her up, and pass the remainder; of his life in a state of single bless--edness. But the statement had yeti to be proved true, -and Percy resol-' veil to so prove it. There must bo amongst the. family papers, he' thought, somo record of -the unfor-i innate Georgian soldier who had died in Bedlam, and could he get access J to them lie might learn the reason! for tlio lunacy • Then it occurred- to him that Willy Minter had literary -ambitions, and had frequently stated her determina-V tion to write a novel dealing with the legendary lore of tlio Ciair family The squire had rather liked the idea, as advertising the '.antiquity of his race, and therefore had helped Willy to gather material from documents, and 'letters and portraits 3 and heirlooms. In her researches, as

Hallon argued, tho girl probably had come across, tlio caso of the lunatic

great-grandfather, so a few questions to her might reveal some clue which would vanquish the opposition oi Lady Panwin. Unfortunately, Halloa could not question Willy straight-* ly, as ho had passed 'his word not to speak of the subject of insanity to anyone. However, he believed that with the aid of diplomatic fencing bo might bo enabled to pump Willy of information on this point, and set to work after dinner, when they were having coffee and cigarettes in the tiny drawing-room of the cottage. Throughout the meal both brother

and sister had asked liallon questions about Lady Panwin’s attitude when he had called, and as to his belief, or disbelief, hi Clair’s guilt. To tlie first question Million had artfu.lv replied that Lady Panwin wanted tc

keep Dorothy as her companion, and merely acted from a. selfish motive. To the second lie answered that he could not come to any conchr-im on ■the evidence before him. "T du 11

have to know more,” expld ied I!yllon, ending the subject, “bohre 1 inako up my mind.” Then, while sipping his totf'-o ai;d

watching the blue smoke-rings curling from Willy’s lips, the vming man hinted at the novel, and iskcd how it was getting on. “I haven’t written i line for weeks,” said Willy, eamk.tly. * -My ideas won’t come. I don’t know what to set down.” “But you have plenty of material,” urged Hallon, surprised. “Why not tell the legend of Abbot Hurley’s tower?” “Yes.” said Billy, who was lounging in a deep armchair, looking lazy and comfortable. “I told her she ought to write about the Devil’s Ace and the game which gave the monas-

try to Ay mas Clair. Also, slio might describe Abbot Hurley’s revenge.” “Oil!” said Halloa, curiously, “1 never heard of any revenge.” “Abbot Hurley hid the treasures' of tho anonastry when he lost the place,” explained Willy. “Somewhere in the neighborhood there is a rich treasure hidden-i-church plate and crosses and chalices and pyx and jewels and gold and-—” “Stop 1 Stop!” interrupted Hallow, while Willy paused for lack ol’ breath; “you make my mouth water. It’s like describing tho plunder of a Spanish ga'lleon an the good old buccaneering days. Is there no document to show where this wealth is concealed.” . “No,” said Billy, regretfully. "Abbot Hurley was too clever for. that. He simply hid the plate by night and bolted with his monks—so tho document |>ays. Aymas Clair and several of liis descendants have searched agiin and again, but without success. Could Mr Clair find that treasure it would make him wealthy.” “I don’t think so,” said AVilly, calmly; “the plate would have to be returned to tho church, it belonged to.”

Billy winked. “You bet,” said ho, emphatically, “and Mr Clair is tho abbot of the monastery now. Lay down your yarn on those lines/’ “And might I suggest,” said Hallon, still bent upon learning what he greatly desired to know, “that you might make Anaya-s Clair go mad, when he could not find the treasure. It would only be justice, seeing that ho won by the Devil’s Ace. But I suppose,” he added, artfully, “that there is no madness in the Clair family.”

“General Clair was mad.” said Willy, unexpectedly, and there she was striking the very trail Percy wished to follow. “Vdu know that portrait over the piano in the Gaw-ing-room—the soldier? Ho was one of George lll.’s Generals. Your remark to-day about Lady Panwt’i glancing at that portrait sec me thinking about him. I wonder,” added Willy, meditatively, “if Lady Panwin thought that Mr Clair was going mad When lie nearly fainted, and recalled General Harry Clair’s madness.”

“Perhaps,” said Hallon, with outward calmness, hut inwardly excited. “I suppose she thought that the.lunacy might be hereditary.” “Willy thrust out her chin. “Oh, nonsense 1” she cried, glibly. “Why, Genral Harry went mad through sunstroke in India.” “Oh I” Halloa’s heart gave a leap as the mists seemed to clear away, “then there is no cbauce of insanity being in the blood?” “Not in the least. There was a local cause for the man’s going off his head. He died in Bedlam, poor soul. I read it oil in some lettc:s addressed to his son. Lady Panwin must be silly to think that Mr Clair was going mad.” “You suggested that,” hinted Billy, anticipating Percy. “Because Lady Panwin looked at the portrait of the General. Blit Mr Clair was only upset by the news.of the death.” “Or his conscience smote him,” said Billy, yawning. “Oh, rubbish!” cried Hallon, testily. “Don’t be talking of that again, you silly ass! There is absolutely no reason to believe that Mr. Clair ■is guilty.” “But the circumstantial evidence—” “Many a man who was innocent nas been hanged upon such evidence., I want• greater proof of Clair’s guilt chan what Willy says.”

“I say nothing,” flashed out Miss Minter ,angrily. “I had my suspicions, but I was never certain that Mr Clair was- guilty; l - Only to you and Billy have I mentioned what 1 thought. : I don’t intend to talk ou the subject again,” she ended, decisively. “You will be’wise, my dear girl. But with regard-to your novel, it seems to me that with the General’s madness and the hidden treasure and that infernal game of cards, you have of material to build up a first- ■ class story.”. i And then Hallon went on to suggest the lines upon which Willy’s proposed novel should bo laid clown. Ho did this to avert suspicion as to his real aim in asking questions, and introducing the subject! But his heart sank within him that night when ho retired to bed. He could now prove to Lady Panwin —with the assistance of- a doctor, if needs be—that there was no chance of,.tlie merely local insanity of the Georgian General being inherited by his descendants. From .the;taint both Dorothy and her father Were free, and the first could marry I .’him, while the second could be prpved innocent of the homicidal mania which Lady Panwin unwillingly '"suspected. Of course, there remained the fact that, if guilty, Frail- | cis Clair had planned the crime in cold blood; but Hallon had already argued out that theory, and judged Clair to bo innocent. Therefore he fell asleep with a smile on his lips and peace in his heart. 1 (To bo continued.) I