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1(1 THE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS : THURSDAY, MARCH 8, I'.IOIS. B THE STOWMARKET MYSTERY; OR, A LEGACY OF HATE g 8 Br LOUIS TRACY p CoPTrisKtfd. 1904 1 R. F. Frntui Co. CHAPTER V. skom BnniMD thk lmrxm. Tho man's swarthy rage added forco to the taunt. David Hume leaped up, but Brott anticipated him, gripping his nrnj firmly, and without ostentation. Margaret, too, had risen. She ap peared to be battling with some pow erful emotion, choking back n fierce lmpuloo. For an Instant tho situation wa electrical. Then tho woman's clear tones rang through tho room. "I am mistress hero," she cried. "Olorannl, rcnialu silent or leave un How dare you, ot all men, speak thus of my cousin?" Certainly the effect of tho barris ter's straightforward statement was anfooked for. Rut Brett felt thai a family quarrel would not further his object at that moment. It was uocos sary to stop the Imminent outburst, for David Hume and Giovanni Ca pella wero silently challenging each other to mortal combat. What a place of Ill-omen to the descendants of thu Georgian baronet was this sunlit li brary with Its spacious French win dows!' I "Of course," said tba barrister, speaking ns quietly ns I' wore dls- cussing the weather, "such a topic la an unpleasant one. It Is, howeve-, unavoidable. My young friend here Is determined, at all costs, to dis cover the secret of Sir Alan's mur der. It is imperative thnt he should do so. The happiness of his whole life depends upon his success. Until that myBtery Is solved he cannot marry the woman he loves." "Do yon mean Helen Layton?" Margaret's syllables might have been no many mortal daggers. "Yes." 7s David still In lore with hcrT "Yes." "And she with him?" DaTld Hume broke In: "Tes, Rita. She has been faithful to tho end." A very forcible Italian oath carno from Capella as ho passed through the window and strode rapidly out of sight, passing to the left of tho house, where one of tho lines of yew. trees ended In a group of conserva tories. Margaret was now deadly white. Bhe pressed her hand to her bosom "Forgiv-3 me," she sobbed. "I do not feel well. You will both bo al ways welcome here. Lot no one Interfere with you. nut I must leave you. This afternoon " She staggered to tho door. Her cousin caught her. "Thank you, Davie," she whis pered. "Leavo mo now. I will be all right soon. My heart troubles me. No. Do not ring. Lot us keep ou miseries from the servants." She passed out, leaving Humo and the barrister uncertain how best to act. The situation had developed with a vengcanco. Brett was more bewildered than ever before In his Jlfe. "That scoundrel killed Alan, and bow he wants to kill his own wife!" crowled Hume, when they were alone. Brett lookod through him rather than at him. Ho was thinking In tently. For a long time minutes it teemed to his fuming companion he remalnod motionless, with glazed Immovable eyes. Then ho awoke to action. "Quick!" he cried. "Tell rao If this moora has changed much since you wore last here. Is the furniture the same? Is that tho writing tablo What chair did you sit In? Where was it placed? Quick, man! You have wasted eighteen months. Give me no opinions, but facts." Thus admonished, scared some what by tho barrister's volcanic en arjryj.Hume obeyed him. 'There is no material change In the room," he said. "The secretaire Is the same. You see, hero Is tho drawer which was broken open. It bears the marks of the Implement used to force the lock. I think I Bat in this chair, or one like it. It wae placed here. My face wa3 turned towards tho fire, yet In my dream I was looking through tho center win dow. The Japanese sword rested here. I showed you where Alan' body was found." The young man darted about the room to Illustrate each bentenco. Brett followed his words and actlona without comment. He grabbed his hat and stick. "We will return later In the day." he said. "Let ns go at onro ajid call on Mrs. Eastham." "Mrs. Eaetham! Why?" "Because I want to see Miss Holon Layton. The old lady can send for her." Humo noeded no urging. Ho could not walk fast enough. They hnd gone n hundred yards from the house when Brett suddenly stopped and Checked lUs companion. Behind tho yew tretis on tho loft, and rendered itivlslblo by a stout hedge, a man was running running lit top spend, with tho laboring breath of ono unaccustomed to tho bxernlso. ,Tho barrister sprang over the strip of turf, passod nmong the trees, and plunged Into tho hedgo ro pardVeBB of thorns. Ho catno back Instantly. "There Is a footpath across th park, leading towards tho lodgo (tatoB. Whero does It come out?" ho asked, speuktng rapidly in a low tone. "It enters tho road near the ave pue, close to the gates. It leads from i farmhouse." "A lady is walking through the path towards tho lodge. Capella is funning to Intercept her. Cornel We Rrett set off nt a rapid pace along ho turf. Humo followed, and soon Lhoy wero near tho lodgo. Mrs Crowe Raw them, and came out. "Stop her!" gasped Brett. Hume signalled the woman not to Dpen the gate. She watched them with open mouthed curiosity. The barristor slowed down nnd quietly mado his way to- tho leafy angle where the avenue hedgo joined that which shut off tho park from the road. Ho held up a warning hand. Hume utoppod warily behind htm, and both men lookod through a portion of the hedge where briars were supplanted by haoel bushes. Capella was standing panting near a stllo. A girl, dressed In mus lin, and weariuj a largo straw ha, was approaching. "Groat Honvnnat T t Helen!" ex slnlmed Humo. Brott graspod his shoulder. "Restrain yourself," ho whlspoMi earnostly. "Luckily, Capella has not heard you. I regrot tho necessity whlcb makes us eavesdroppers, but It Is t fortunate accident, all the same. Not a word! Remember what Is al stake." They could not see tho Itallan'i face. His back was heaving from the violence of his oxortlon, MIsi Lnyton was walking rapidly towardi tho stllo. Obviously she had por celved tho waiting man, and she wa not pleased. Her pretty fare, flushed and sun burnt, wore the strained nspect of a woman annoyed, but trying to be civil. It was she who took the Inltlatlvo "Good day, Mr. Capella," she said pleasantly "Why on earth did you run so fast?' "Because I wished to bo here lin foro yon, Miss Layton," replied the man, his voice tremulous with ex citement. "Then I wish I had known, be cause 1 could havo benteu you easily If you meant to race me." "That was not my object." "Well, now you havo attalnod It whatever It may have beon, please a' low mo to got over tho stile. I will bo lato for luncheon. My fathot wished me to ascertain how Farmer Burton Is progressing after his spill. He was thrown from his dogcart whilst coming from the Bury St. Kd mund's fair." It was easy for the listeners be hind tho hedge to gather that thu girl's affable manner was affected She was really somewhat alarmed. Her eyes wandered to the high road to soo If anyone was approaching, and she kept at some distance from tho Italian. "Do not play with me, Nellie," said Capella, In agouized accents. "I am consumed with love of you. Can you not, at least, give me your pity"" "Mr. Capella," she cried, and none but ono blind to all save his own pas sionate desires could fall to noto her lofty disdain, "how can you be so base as to uso such language to me?" "Base! To love you!" "Again I say It base and unman ly. What have I done that you should venture to so insult yout charming wife, not to speak of th Insult to myself? When you so far forgot yourself a fortnight ago as to hint nt your outrageous Ideas re garding me, I forced myself to re member thnt you were not an Eng lishman, that perhaps in your coun try thero may bo a social rodo which permits a man to dishonor his home nnd to nnnoj a defenceless woman. I cannot forgive you n second time. Let me pass! Let me pss, I tell you or I will strike you!" Brett. In his admiration for the spirited girl who, notwithstanding her protestations, seemed to bo any thing but "defenceless," momentar ily forgci his companion. A convulsive tightening of Hume's muscles, preparatory to a leap through the hedge, warned him In time. "Idiot!" ho whispered, as he clutched him again. Wero not the others so taken up with tho throbbing Influences of the moment they must havo heard the rustling of tho leaves. But they paid little heed to external affairs. Tho Italian was speaking. "Nellie," ho said, "you will drive mo mad. But listen, carlssinia. If I may not love you, 1 can at least de fend you. David Hume-Frazer, the man who murdered my wife's broth er, has returned, and openly boasts that you are waiting to marry him." "Boiiuts! To whom, pray?" "To mo. I heard him say this not fifteen minutes since." "Where? You do not know him, Ho could not be hero without my knowledge." "Then It Is true. You do intend to marry this unconvicted felon?" "Mr. Capella, I really think you are what English people call 'cracked.' " "But you believe me that this man has como to Beochcroft?" "It may be so. He has good rea sons, doubtless, for kenplng his pres ence hero a secret. Whatever they may ho, I shall eoou know them." "Helen, he is not worthy of you. He cannot glvo you a love flerco as mine. Nay, I will not be repelled. Hear me. My wife Is dying. I will bo free In a few months. Bid mo to hope. I will not trouble you. I will go away, but I swear, If you marry Frazer, neither he nor you will long enjoy your happiness!" Tito girl made no reply, but sprang towards tho stllo In sheer despera tion. Capella strovo to tako hor In his arms, not Indeed with intont to offer her any vlolonco; but sho mot hla lovorllko ardor with such a vigorous buffet that ho lost his tompor. He caught her. Sho had almost surmounted tho stllo, but hor dreys hampered hor movements. Tho Ital Ian, vowing his passion In an nrdent How of words, endeavored to kiss her. Then, with a sigh, for ho would liuvo porferred to avoid ait opon rup turn, Brtt let go his hold on Hume. Indeed, If ho had not donu so, there must have been a fight on both Bides of the hedgo. lie turned away at once to light a cigarette What followed Immediate ly had no professional Interest tot him. But he could not help hearing Hel en's shriek of delighted surprise, and certain other sounds which denoted that Giovanni wan being used as a football by his near relative by mar riage. Mrs Crowe came out of her cot tago. "What's a-goln' on In tho park, Blr?" sho Inquired anxiously. "A great event," ho said. "Faust Is kicking Mephistopholos." "Drat them colts!" she cried, add ing, after taking thought: "but wo haven't any horses of them names, sir." "No. You surprise mo. They are of tho Italian pedigree." Meanwhile he was achieving his ob ject, which was to drive Mrs. Crowe back towards tho wlckot Helen's voice came to them shrilly: I That will do, Davlo! Do you hear I mo?" "Why, bless my eart, there's Mis Layton," said Mrs. Crowe. "What a fine little boy this Is!" exclaimed Brett, stooping over a cur ly haired urchin. "Is ho tho oldest?" "Good grnclous, sir, no. lie's the youngest." "Dear me, I would not have thought so. You must havo been married very early. Hero, my little man, see what you can buy for half-a-crown." "What a nlco gentleman he Is, to bo sure," thought the lodge keeper's wife, when Brett pnssed through the smaller gate, assured that tho strug gle In the park hud ended. "Just fancy 'Im a-thlnkln' Jimmy was tho eldest, when 1 will be a grandmother come August If all goes well wl' Kate." Tho barrister signed to the groom to wait, nnd Joined tho young couple, who now appeared In the roadway.' A haggard, dishevelled, nnd furious man burst through tho avenue hedgo and ran across the drive. j "Mrs. Crowe," he nlmost screamed , "do you sue those two men there?" , "Yes. sir." J The good woman wns startled by, her master's sudden appearance nnd his excited state. I "They are never to be admitted to the grounds again. Do you under stand?" "Yes. sir." Capella turned to nt"!h away up the avenue, but lie was compelled to limp. Mrs. Crowe watched him won-' deringly, and tried to piece together In her mind thu quner hounds nnd1 occurrences of the last two minutes. . Sho had not long been In the cot-' tnge when the butler arrlvod. "You let two gentlemen in a while ago?" he said. I "I did." "One was Mr. David and the other a Mr. Brett?" ' "Oil, was that the tall gentleman's name?" 1 "I expert so. Well, hero's the : missus's written order that, when ever they want to come to tho 'ouso or go anywheres in the park it's O, K." , ! Mis. Crowe- was wise enough to keep her own counsel, but when tho butler retired, sho snld: I "Then I'll obey the missus, an' mas- tor can sottle It with her. I don't hold by F.yetallans, anyhow." CHAPTER VI. OLD AC'OXAISTAXOT. Helen war. very much upset by the painful sceno which had Just beon en acted. Its vulgarity appalled her. 1 In a little old-world hamlet like Slea- j gill, a riotous cow or frightened. nPrso supplied sensation for a week.' What would happen when it became known that the rector's daughter had been attacked by the Squire of Beeehproft in tho park meadow, and saved from his embraces only after a vigorous struggle, in which her do fender was David Hume-Frazer, con- cernlncwhom the villagers stlllspoke' with bated breath? f Of courbe, the girl Imagined that! many peoplo must have witnessed , the occurrence. The appearance of, Brett, of the waiting groom, and of a chance laborer who now strode up tho village street, led her to think so. ' She did not realize that the whole I affair had bnrely lasted a minute, , that Brett was Hume's friend, tho man-servant a stranger who had seen i nothing and heard little, whilst tho, villneer onlv wondered, when ho , 1 1.1.. 1 1 ... 1 . . I T i . I Luuuuim ins wuy .uisa i,siyiuu was so flustered like." Brett attributed her agitation to Its right cause, He knew that this healthy, high-minded, and athletic young woman went under no fear of Capella and his ravings. "What happened when you Jumped the hedge?" ho snld to Hume. "I handled that scoundrel some what roughly," was tho answer. "It was Nellio hore who hegged for mer cy on his account." "Ah, well, the incident ended very pleasantly. No one saw what hap pened save tho principals, n fortun ate thing in itself. We want to pre vent a nino days' wondor just now." "Are you quite suro?" asked Miss Layton, overjoyed at this expression of opinion, and secretly surprised at the Interest taken by the barrister In the affair, for Hume had not as yet found time to tell her his friend's name. "Quite suro, Miss Layton," he said, with the smile whlcb made him such a prompt favorite with women. "I had nothing to do but observe tho mlae-on-scene. The stage was quite clear for the chief actors. And now, niayj make a suggestion? Tho long er we romaln hero tho more llkoly are wo to attract observation. Mr. Humo and 1 are going to cnll on Mrs. Eastham. May we expect you in an hour's tlmo?" "Can't you como In with us now?" exclaimed David oagerly. Sho laughed excitedly, being yet flurried. Tho sudden appearance ot her lover trlod hor neryes more than tho Italian's passionate avowal. "No, Indeed," Bhe cried. "I must go homo. My father will forgot all ubout his lunch otherwise, and I am afraid I w nut to cry!" Without unuther word sho hurried off towards tho rectory. "My dear fellow," murmured Brott to' tho disconsolate Humo, "don't you understand? She cannot bear tho constraint Imposed by my presenco at this moment, nor could she meet Mrs. Eastham with any degree of composure. Now, this afternoon she will return a mere Iceberg. Mrs. Eastham, I am sure, has tact. I palng. to the H&ll. ..You two will be left alone for hours." He turned aside to arrange with the groom concerning tho caro of th horse, ns they would ho detained Bomo time In tho village. Thon tho two men approached Mrs. Eastham'a residence. That good person, a motherly old ndy of over sixty, was not only sur prised but dollghtod by tho advent of David Humo. "My dear boy," sho cried, advanc ing to moot him with outstretched hnnds when ho entered tho morning room. "What fortunate wind has blown you hero?" "I can hardly tell you, nuntlo," he "aidboth Holon nnd ho adoptod the I' easing ncuon of a roiaiionsnip mat iiiu not exisi you mum ami iwr. Brett." Thus appealod to, tho barrister set forth, In n few explicit words, tho ob ject of tholr visit. "I hopo nnd bollove you will suc ceed," said Mrs. Eastham Impul sively. "Providence has guided your steps hero nt this hour. You cannot imagine how miserable that man Capolln makes mo." "Why?" cried Hume, darting n look of surprise nt Ilrctt. "Becauso lie Is simply pestering Nellie with his attentions. Thero! I must speak plainly. Ho has gone to j extremes that can no longer bo mis- I Interpreted. In our small community, I Mr. Brett," she explained, "though j we dearly love a little gossip, we aro slow to believe that a man married to such a charming If somewhat un-! conventional woman ns Margaret j Hume-Frazor I cannot trnln my tongue to call her Mrs. Capella would deliberately neglect his wife and dnro to demonstrate ft is unlaw- ' ful affection for another woman, es-1 peclally such a girl as Helen Lay-J ton." tl "How long has this b"en going ' on?" Inquired Brett, for Hume wa3 too furious to speak "For some lponw, . i .t It is only a fortnight ago .since Helen first com-) plained of It to mo. I promptly told , Mr. Capella that 1 could not recivo t him again at my house. lie dlscov- t ered that Nellie came here a good deal, and managed to call about tho snmo time as she did. Then he j found that she was interested in Ja- i panose art, and lie I really clever in! that respect-" j "Clever," interrupted the barris-1 ter. "Do you mean that he under-1 stands lacquer work, Satsuma ware, 1 painting or Inlaying? Is he a con noisseur or a student?" ' "It is all Greek to me!" exclaimed ' the old lnd. "but unquestionably' the bits of china and queer carvings he often brought here were very ! beautiful. Nellie did not like him personally, but she could not deny his knowledge anil enthusiasm, i Margaret, too, used to Invite her to tho Hall, for Miss Layton has great j taste as an amateur gardener, Mr. Brett. But this frit ndship suddenly ceased. Mr. Capella became very strango and gloomv in bis manner. At last Nellte told me that tho i wretched man had dared to utter I words of love to her, hinting that his wife could not live long, and that she ( would come In for lier foilune. Now, as my poor girl I as been the most faithful soul that over lived, never for an Instant doubling that some day tho cloud" would lift from Davie, you may imngln'n what n ."hock this was to her." "Mrs. Eastham," said Brott, sud denly switching the conversation away from the Italian's fantas, "you are well acquainted with all the cir cumstances connected with Sir Alan's murder. Have you formed any theory about the crime, Its motive, or its possible author?" "God forgive me If I do any man an Injury, but In these lust few days I have had my suspicions," she ex claimed. "Tell me your reasons." "It arose out of a rhanve remark by Nellie. She was discussing with me her inexplicable antipathy to Mr. Capella, even during tho tlmo when they wero outwardly good friends. Sho said that once he showed her a Japanese sword, a most wonderful piece of workmaushlp. with veins of Biiver nnd gold let Into the handle nnd part of tho blade. To tho upper part of the scabbard was attached a knlfo a small dagger similar-" "Yes, I understand. An Implement like that used to kill Sir Alan Hume Frazer." "Exactly. Nellie at first hardly realized its significance. Then sho hastily told Capella to take it away, but not bofore she noticed that ho scorned to understand tho dreadful thing. It is fastened in Its sheath by a hidden spring, and ho knew exactly how to open It. Any person not ac customed to such weapons would en deavor to pull it out by main force." Brett did nox. press Mrs. Eaotham to pursue her theory. It was plain that she regarded the Italian as a man who might conceivably be the murderer of his wife's brother. This was enough for feminine logic. Hume, too, shared tho same belief, und had not scrupled to express it openly. There were, It wns true, reasons In plenty, why Capella should havo committed this terriblo deed. He was, presumably, nffiancod to Mar garet at tho time. Apparently her father's will had contemplated the cutting down of her annual allow ance. The young heir had, on tho other hand, mado up the deficit. But why did these artificial restrictions uxist7 Why wero precautions taken by her father to diminish his daugh ter' Income? She hnd boau extrava paut. Both fnther and brother quar reled with hor on this point. Indeed, thoro was a slight family disturb ance with roforenco to it during Sir Alan's last visit to London. Was Capella mtxod up with It? At last thoro wbb a glimmering perception of motive for an otherwise fiendishly irrational net. Did It tond to Incriminate tbp Italian? A uummons to luncheon dispelled tho momentary gloom of their thoughts. Before tho meal ended Miss Layton Joined thorn. Brett lookod at his watch. "Fifty minutes!" he said. Thon they all laughed, except Mrs. Eastham, who ninrvolod at tho cool nosa ot the meeting between the girl and David. But the old lady was quick-witted. "Have you met before?" she crlod. "Dearest,' said the girl, kissing hor; "do you mean to say they have not told you what hnppened In tho park?" "That will require a special sit ting," said Brett gaily. "Meanwhile, T am going to tho Hall. 1 suppose you do not enro to accompany mo, Hume?" "I do not." Tho reply was so emphatic that it created further morrlmont. 'Well, tell mo quickly what this secret Is," exclnlmed Mrs. Eastham, "because In five minutes I must havo a long talk with my cook. Sho has to preparo plos and pastry sufficient to feed nearly n hundred school chil dren next Monday, nnd It is a matter of much calculation." Brott took his leave. "I know that good old soul would bo tactful," ho snld to himself. "Now 1 wondor how Winter made such a colossal mistake ns to Imagine thnt Humo murdered his cousin. Ho was sure of the affections of a delightful girl; ho could not. succeed to tho property, ho has declined to take up the title. What reason could ho have for committing such a crime?" Thon a man walked up tho road a man dressed like u farmer or grazier, rotund, strongly-built, cheerful-looking. Ho halted opposite Mrs. East ham's house, where the bnrrlster still stood drawing on bis gloves "Yes," said Brett aloud, "you are an egregious ass, Winter." "Why, Mr. Brett?" asked the un abashed detective. "Isn't tho mako- up good?" "It is the mnke-up that always I leads you astray You never theorlzo above tho level of the Police Ga zetto." Mr. Winter yielded to not unnat- 1 url annoyance. With habitual can- i tion, he glnneed nround to assure himself that no other person wnn ' within earbhot; then he said veho- : tnently: "I tell you, Mr. Brett, that swine i killed Sir Alan Hume-Frazor." "You use strong language " "Not stronger thnn he deserves." "Whnt are you doing here?" "I heard he was In London, and watched him. I saw him go to your chambers and guessed what was up, so I came down here to see j ott and toll you what I know." "Out of pure good nature?" "You can believe It or not, Mr. Brett. It Is tho truth." "Ho has been tried nnd acquitted. He cannot be tried again. Door Scot land Yard " "I'm on my holidays." Brett laughed heartily. "I see!" he cried. "A 'bus-driver's hollda ! For how long?" "Fourteen dns." "You are nothing If not profes sional. I suppose it was nof your first offence, or they might have lot yop off with a fine." The detective enjoyed this depart mental joke. He grinned broadl. "Anyhow, Mr. Brett," he said, "you and I have been engaged on too many smart bits of work for me to stand quietly and lot you be made a tool of." The barrister came nearer, and said, In a low tone: "Winter, you havo never been more mistaken In your life. Now, at- tend to my words. If you help me , opinion would probably be more val you will. In the first place, bo well ! uablo than mine." paid for your services. Secondly, you ' "Spare me your wit. You know well will be able to place your hand on i what I mean. Will he meet mo on the trite murderer of Sir Alan Hume- Frazer, or I will score my first fail ure. Thirdly. Scotland Yard will give you another holiday, nnd I can secure you some shooting In Scot land. What say yon?" The detective looked thoughtful. Long experience had taught him not to argue with Brett when the latter was In earnest. "I will do anything In my power," he said, "but there is more in this business than perhaps you aro aware of- -moro than ever transpired at the Assizes," "Quite so, and a good deal that has transpired since. Now, Winter, don't argue, there's a good fellow. Go and engage tho landlord of the local inn In a discussion on crops. I am off to Heechcroft Hall. Mr. Hume and I will call for you on our way back to Stowmarket. In our prlvato sitting-room at tho hotel there I will explain everything." Thoy parted. Brett was promptly admitted by Mrs, Crowe, and walked rapidly up the avenue. Winter watched his retreating fig ure. "Ho's smart, I know he's smart," mused tho detective. "But he doesn't know everything about this affair. He doesn't know, I'll bo bound, that David Humo-Frazer waited for his cousin that night outsldo the library. I didn't know It worse luck! until after he was acquitted. And ho doesn't know thnt Miss Nellie Layton didn't reach home until 1.30 a.m., though sho loft tho ball at 12.15, and her house Is, so to speak, a min ute's walk distant. And she was In a cariage. Oh, there's moro In this case than meets tho eye! I can't say which would please me most, to find out the real murderer, If Hume didn't do It, or prove Mr. Brott to be In the wrong!" CHAPTER VH. HUSBAND AND WIPE. Brett did not hurry on his way to tho Hall. Alrendy things wero In a whirl, and tho confusion was so great that ho was tuomuntaiily un nblo to map out a dcllulto lino of action, Tho relntlons between Cnpolla and his wlfo wore evidently strained al- most to breaking point, and It was this very fact which caused him the Perplexity. They hnd been tnnrrled Uttlo moro than six months. They wero an ex- traordtnarlly handsome couplo, ap- parently well suited to each other by tompornment and mutual sympa- thles, whilst tholr means wore nmplo onuugh to permit thorn to llvo under any conditions they ihlght choose, nnd gratify personal hobbles to the fullest extent. What, fhon, could have happened to divide them so completely? Surely not Capella's new born pas sion for Helen Layton. Not even a hot-blooded Southerner could, bo guilty of such dcllbnrato rascality, such Ineffable folly, during tho first few months aftor his marriage to a baaaMfuJ.tndjgjjalthyjWiJe. v No, this hypothesis must bo re jected. Margaret Capella had drlftod apart from hor husband almost ns noon as they reached England on her return as man and wlfo. Capolln, mlsorablo and disillusioned, burled allvo In a country place- -for such must oxlstenco In Beochcroft mean to a man of his Inclinations -had discovered a startling contrast bo- , tweon his passlonato nnd moody Bpouso, and the bright, pleasant mannered girl whoso 111 fortune It was to create discord between tho In mates of the Hall. This theory did not wholly exon erate tho Italian, but It explained a good deal. Tho barrister saw no I cause as yet to suspect Cnpolla of the I young baronet's murder. Wero ho guilty of that ghastly crime, his mo tive must havo beon to securo for himself the position ho was now de liberately Imperilling nil for a girl's pretty face. Tho explanation would not suffice. 1 Brott hnd seen much that Is hidden . from public ken In the vagaries of criminals, but he hnd never yet met a man wholly bad, and nt the same time In full possession of his senses, i To adopt tho hasty Judgment ar- 1 rived at by Hume and Mrs. Eastham, 1 Capella must bo deemed capnble of murdering his wife's brother, of ; bringing about the death ot his wlfo after securing the reversion of her vast property to himself, and of I falling In love with Helen all In the same breath. This species of crlmln- allty was onlv met with In lunatics. i and Capella Impressed tho barrister 1 as an emotional personage, capablo of i supremo good as or supreme evil, oui quite sane. I The question to be solved was this: 1 Why did Capella and his wife quar ! rel In the first instance? Perhaps, that way, lleht might come. I He asked a footman If Mrs. Ca : polla would receive him. The man glanced at his card "Yes. sir." lie snld nt once. "Ma- , dam gave Instructions that if either I you or Mr. David called, you were to j be taken to her boudoir, where sho . awaits you." The room was evidently on the first floor, for the servant led him up the magnificent oak staircase that climbed two sides of the reception , hall. But this wns fated to be a day of ; Interruptions. The barrister, when be reached the landing, was con fronted by the Italian. "A word with you, Mr. Brett." was the stiff greeting given to him. 1 "Certainly. But I am going to ! Mrs. Capella's room." "She can wait. She does not know you are here, .lames, remain outside until Mr. Urett returns. Then con duct him to your mistress." Capella's tone admitted of no ar gument, nor was it necessary to pro test, Brett always liked people to talk In the way they deemed best suited to their own Interests. With out any expostulation, therefore, bo followed his limping host Into a lux uriously furnished dressing room. Capella closed the door, and placed himself gently on a couch. "Does your friend fight?" he said, fixing his dark eyes, blazing with an i ger, intently on tho other. "That Is a matter on which your the Continent and settle our quarrel like a gentleman, not like a hired bravo?" "What quarrel?" "Mr. Brett, you are not so stupid. David Hume, notwithstanding his past, may still be deemed a man of honor In some respects. He treated mo grossly this morning. Will he fight me, or must I treat him as a cur?" Brett, without invitation, seated himself. He produced a cigarette and lit It, adding greatly to Capella's irri tation by his provoking calmness. "Really," he said at last, 'you amuse me." "Silence!" he cried imperatively, when the Italian would have broken Into a torrent of expostulations. j "Listen to me, you vain fool!" This method of address hnd the i raro merit of achieving its object. Capella was reduced to a condition ! of speechless rago. "You consider yourself tho ag grieved person, I suppose," went on tho Englishman, subsiding into a I state of contemptuous placidity. j "You neglect your wife, make luvt- to 1 un honorable and puro-mlnded girl, Btoop to the uso of unworthy taunts nnd even criminal luuen''os, loso Buch control of your pnssiou ns to lay , sacrilegious hnnds upon Helen Lay ton, and yot you resent the ell-mer-Ited punishment administered to you by her nffiancod husband. Were I a j surgeon, Mr. Capella, I might tako i an anatomical Interest In your brain. As It Is, I regard you as a psycholog ical study In latter day blackguard ism. Do you understand nie?" "Porfectly. You have not an swered my question. Will Hume fight?" "1 should say that nothing would glvo him greater pleasure." '"Then you will arrango this mat ter? I can send a friend to you?" "And if you do I will send the po lice to yon, thus possibly anticipating mattors somewhat." "What do you moan?" "I moan that my eolo purpose In llfo Just now is to lay hands ou tho mnn who killed Sir Alan Hume-Frazor. Until that nn'd Is achieved, I I will tnko good caro that your crudo ,.ipnH . hnnnr rn Hn.u wj,. ns they i wore lo.dnVi bv tno too 0f a boot." , Capella was certainly a singular porsoni Ho nsten0li unmoved to Brett's threats and insults. Ho gavo tnat Bnarllng arall0 of n3, Und toyed mpatlentlv wUh hls moustache, , Yor A.,,,., , 11f nol con. corn mQ Your cour,H trl0(l lnPlr bcat to nnng ,ho mm wh0 wn8 r09I,nalblo , for hlg cousln.8 AoMl and fnllod. I tako It you decline this proffered duol?" "Yes." "Thon I will fight David Hume In my own way. You have rejected the fair alternative on his behalf. Car amba! We shall soo now who wins. Ho will never marry Holon." "What did you mean just now when you said that he was 'responsi ble for his couhIu's death'? Is that an Italian way of describing a cold- Capella leaned back nnd snarled silently ngaln. It was a pity ho hnd cultivated that trick. It spoilt an otherwise classically regular sot of features. "Jamenl" he shouted. Tho footman entered. "Tako this gentleman to your mtn tross. I havo done with hltn " "For the present, James," said Brett. Tho astonished sorvnnt led hltn along a corridor nnd knocked nt. a door hidden by a silk curtain Mrs. Cnpolla rose to receive her visitor Sho was vory pnlo now, but qulo calm and dignified In manner. "Davlo did not como with you?" she said, when Brett was sentrd nar to her In an r.lcovo formed by an oriel window. "No. Ho Is with Miss Layton." "Ah, I am not sorry. I prefer to tnlk with you alone." "It Is perhnps better. Your cousin Is Impulsive) In some respects, though self-contained enough In others " "It may bo so. I lll:o him, al though wo havo not. scon much of each other slnco we wero children I knew him this morning prlncli t'lv on account of hla likeness it) -Man But you aro h'ls friend, Mr. Brett, and I can illscuas with you matters I would not care to broach with him. He is with Helen Layton now, jou say?" "Yes, nnd let me add an explana tion. Those two young people are devoted to each other. No power on earth could separate them " "Why do you tell nie that'" "Because I think you wished to h assured of It?" "You are clover, Mr. Brett. If you can Interpret a criminal's designs ns well as you can road a woman's heart you must bo a terror to evil doors " A slight color came Into her cheeks. The barrister leaned for ward, his hands clasped and arms resting on his knees. "I have Just seen your husband," he said. Sho exhibited no marked sign of emotion, but lie thought ho detocted a frightened look In her eyes. "Again I ask," she exclaimed, "why do you toll me?" "Tho reason is obvious You ought to know all that goes on. There was a quarrel this morning between him and David Humo. Your husband wished mo to arrange a duel 1 prom ised htm a visit from tho pollco if I heard any more of such nonsense." "A duel! More bloodshed'" sho almost whispered. "Do not have any alarm for either of them. They are quite safe. I will guarantee so much, at nny rate But your husband is a somewhat curious person. He Is prone to strong and sudden hatreds and attachments " Margaret pressed her hands to her face. She could no longer bear the torture ot make believe quiescence 'Oh, what shall I do!" she walled. "I am tho most miserable woman In England to-day, and I might havo been the happiest." "Why are you miserable, Mrs. Ca pella?" asked Brett gently. "I cannot tell you. Perhaps It Is owing to my own folly. Are you suro that David and Helen intend to get . married?" ' "Yes." "Then for Heaven's sake, let tho wedding take place. Let thorn leave Beechcroft and its associations for ever." "Thnt cannot be until Hume's character Is cleared from tho odium i attached to it." j "You menu my brother's death. ' But that has been settled by tho courts. David was declared 'Not guilty.' Surely thai will sudce' No good purpose can be gained bv reopening an Inquiry closed by the law." "I think you are a little unjust to your cousin In this matter, Mrs. Ca pella. He and his future wife fee' very grievously tho slur cast upon ois name. You know perfectly well that If half tho people in this county wero askod, 'Who killed Sir Alnn Humo-Frazer?" they would sa' 'David Hume.' Tho other half would shake tholr heads In dubiety, and prefer not to be on vlsitlngtermswith David Hume and his wife. No; your brother was killed In n particularly foul way. Ho died needlessly, so far as we can lenrn. His death should be avenged, and this can only be done by tracking his murderer and ruth lessly bringing tho wretch to justice. Are not these your own sentiments when divested of all conflicting de sires?" Brett's concluding sentence seemed to petrify his henror. "In what way can I help you?" shf murmured, nnd tho words appeared to como from a heart of stone. "There aro ninny items I wnnt cleared up, but I do not wish to dis tress you unduly. Can you not refer me to your solicitors, for Instance? I Imagine they will bo ablo to an swer all my queries." "No. I prefer to deal with the af fair myself." "Very well. I will commence with you personally. Why did you quar I rel with your brother In London a few days beforo his death?" I "Becauso I was living extrava i gantly. Not only that, but he dis approved ot my manner of life. In thoso days I was headstrong and wilful. I loved a Bohemian exlst 1 enco combined with absurd luxury, or rather, a wildly useles3 expendit ure of money. No one who know trio now could picture me tlun Vtt now I I am good and unhapp Th' n 1 was wicked. In some people's eyes, and , happy. Strange, is it nof" i "Not altogether so unusual as you ! may think. Was any other person interested In what I may term the re i suit of tho disputo botween your i brother and yourself?" "Thnt is a difficult question to an swer. I was vory careless In money matters, but It U clear that tho cur- i tallmont of my rnto of living from I 15,000 to 5,000 por annum must make considerable difference to ull connected with me." I "Had you been living at the form er rate?" "Yos, since my father's death, What annoyed Alan was the fact that I had borrowed from money lenders." "Who else knew of your disagree ment with him besides thoso money lenders' and his solicitors?" "All my friends. 1 used to laugh ut his sorioua ways, whou I, older and. mjMjhnmreejpe.rleace4.i8