The Mystery of the Clasped Hands

cab from the lawyer’s office to Euston Station, and during the drive, neither of them referred in any way to the interview they had just had w

y thanks for the kindness which you showed me in standi

is a piece of ill-luck that might have happened to the best of us. At the same time, I should

s must be sufficient punishment for him. There is one thing

hat is

ible blow to poor Molly; but until this charge, which I have no doubt wil

ared at him i

loves you. It is her duty, therefore, to stand by you and to comfort you whe

it would be fair for me to allow her name to be l

. “If I am prepared to stake my honour on your innocence, you may be

in the world,” said Godfrey. “N

her alone. Put the question to her, and see what she will s

aid Godfrey, in a shaky voice. “I fear

we have to do is to put our wits to work and to endeavour to find out, as Codey says, the sender of the box. Then I believe we shall be on the track of the real criminal. It was a very good suggestion on Mr. Bens

ed over the thought and

re that Griffin had travelled from London

nce to-day, Griffin,” Godfrey

” said the police

drawn your own co

s,

am wanted for anything, I shall not leave the Hall until W

aid the man. “But there’s one thing I

? Say it by

t if it is — whatever verdict they may bring in, I don’t believe for a moment that you had any

eplied, holding out his hand which the other took. “I am afraid that it’s going t

sir,” the m

peaceful scene around him and thought of the terrible suspicion that was growing in people’s minds concerning himself his heart sank within him. If only little Teresina could speak, how ea

hted from the carriage and ascended the steps. “Think of the l

uncle before him, and Godfrey entered his home, but how diffe

sir,” said the servant, when he had r

thither, one of them at l

ndering when we shoul

she came forward to meet her lover. She place

Henderson, “what have you to

. Their minds had been too much occupied with it that

who took upon himself the part of spokesman

o go up again,” said Molly. “Why

he dared not tel

You must remember that the matter is, at present, shrouded in the g

re did you leave him?

said Godfrey. “I have no idea

mind that there had been trouble between the two men. She said nothing

accompanied him to the front door. Before leaving, the old g

many friends and that I am not the least of them. Should anything occur, send for me at once, and I will

” said Godfrey, and then Sir Vivian

ly good-night, she looked up

f you not to do so. You know how I love you, and how earnest is my desire to share both

er know the truth that night. “In the morning we will talk the whole matter over and you shall give me your advice.

nking of you all night, for I knew ho

speculating with never-ceasing anxiety as to what was to happen in the future. At last, unable to bear it any longer, he rose from his bed and went downstairs to his studio, where he lighted his fire and smoked and read until daylight. Then a cold bath somewhat refreshed him, and, as soon as he had dressed, he set off across the park to the home farm. He was always an early riser, and his presence there at that hour excited no comment. He watched the sleek, soft-eyed cows being milke

he Hall about half-past nine. When they arrived Godfrey selected one, and took it with him to his studio. With a feeling that he had never bef

ord Stre

dinary

ore his eyes as vividly as though it had been traced in letters of fire. Set down in cold print, the affair presented a very sinister aspect, so far as he was concerned. Every portion of the evidence seemed to point to himself as being the man who had committed the d

and in response Mol

u,” she said, with the paro

plied. “The fact is, I have had certain things to do which co

r you to be always with me, and yet I am selfish enoug

ly an attempt to gain time. She, on her side, knew that he

st tell you everything. God knows, this is the crisis of my life, and to whom should I turn in my sorrow, if

a false impression from it. I am quite willing to hear what you

ry that you should hear what other people have to say upon the matter. Read

and for a moment she

lly wish it

eve me,” he said. “In that case, no one c

aid, and went toward th

f which sparkled the engagement ring he had given her, and the tiny foot just peeping from beneath the dark green skirt. She was a woman worth fighting all the

berately folding it up and laying it upon the table, she went to him, and pl

eadful affair, it will make no difference in my love. I feel as convinced as I am of anything that, by whatever means, or at whos

you know, yesterday I suggested to your father that, situated as we are, it would

alone; it was to be your partner in the rough seas of life as well as in the smooth. No, come what may, Godfrey, I wi

ind is

what —(here she shuddered)— what that paper would seem to suggest. No,

“The knowledge that you still trust m

Codey, the lawyer you have

ed. “He has had great experience in these sort of cases, and, i

that within a few days we should be made so miserable! Perhaps, after all, it is only our love being tried in the crucible of trouble.

answered, and kisse

plantation, where the rabbits were playing, and the pheasants, who of late had not received the attention their merits deserved, were strutting about on the open grass land, Godfrey found it difficult to believe that the situation was really as desperate as he imagined. Their walk lasted fo

n. “I have been wanting so much to have a talk with you! Godfrey, I

he said, seating himself by her

his arm, and looked at

done anything of which his mother w

n which he was held was unmanning him. He could not trust himself to speak. When his own

asion, they were even more so than usual. It was as if they were endeavouring in their own kindly way to show that they too believed in him, and were desirous of proving their sympathy with him. Neve

motions, Godfrey found it difficult to pin his attention to the matters at issue, and when the other went his way, after respectfully touching his forelock, for the first time since he had known the old fellow, he heaved a sigh of relief. At half-past four he joined the ladies in

osed the case and placed it with its fellows upon the table. “And what is this? Well,

utside reached them, followed, a few seconds

. “It may be rude, but I must say

entered the room and informed Godfrey that a gentleman

ey asked. “Did he

ied. “He said he should be glad if you could

odfrey, and, asking the ladies

e-aged individual, who at first glance resembled a sporting parson.

y inquired. “I am not aware tha

hold a warrant for your arrest on a charge of wilfully murdering Teresina Cardi in Burford Street on

allen at last!