The Red Bicycle

his ominous hint, the girl throw herself fu

e had actually been in the house when the death took place. Certainly, on the face of it, he was exonerated by the evidence of the policeman and the housekeeper; yet it now appeared that he was less innocent than was supposed. The girl did not dare to think that he was the guilty person, for, rough as were his manners, she could not believe th

sed her. He was a tall and handsome young man, with closely-cropped, brown hair, a clean-shaven face, and shrewd eyes of hazel, m

gether, and in a moment she burst into tears. "Oh, Edwin!" That

ew the girl on to his knee to soothe her. "What is the matter

like a fool. I'll feel better in a few minutes. But hold me t

remble, and shortly she slipped out of her lover's arms to stand up. "I am silly," she confessed, and walked across the room to look at her disorder

. Claudia appreciated the diplomatic way in which he was dealing with her, and now that

bending forward to kiss hi

the kiss with interest.

ind his raging, I am quite used to that, and he reall

s wh

for a time, Edwin, and let us talk all round the shop. The

ow you are not an hysterical girl, Claudia. Come and sit down, so that we can tal

lively tone, and touching the bell. "Luckily your father has go

eep armchair, lately occupied by the pirate; while Claudia gave ord

self opposite to him, and placing a light bam

ome here to indulge in a little delicious folly. Do you feel bette

nd you are so very strong, Edwin. Much stronger than father

must not talk of you

etty shrug. "I love dad, who is kind to me after his truculent fash

. But he's a real good s

rt," retorted the girl, sharply; "but it never

ho

to mar

d Wyke is dead, that's

. I was weak enough to give in to him over Sir Hector, but

h, I'll do that. No one marries you but me. You n

ave never lived with my dad. He would wear out the Archangel Gabriel to get his own way. I fought and fought til

will worry yo

e." She swept some papers off the bamboo table and helped to lay the cloth

arefully considering the proposition while the parlourmaid was present, and a

"but I must do something. Dad worries and worries and worries. He wants to retu

the piece of bread and butter

t facts have to be faced. And very uncomforta

ng to

and leant her elbow on her knee and her chin on her hand. "Edw

s tea and had to set the cup down in a hurry

speak plainly e

apers?" was Craver's reluctant reply. "Because it took place in my f

a cross tone. "How you do jump to conclusions. But

he drawing-room. He

and the policeman said that Sir Hector w

e report of the inque

is the case da

e colour was slowly creeping back into his sunburnt face. "Of course, Mr. Lemby is innocent," he

aid Claudia, in apparent

eant. "Five thousand a year accordi

d to get it by making me marry Sir Hector. But as I did not become

I really don't k

ously, and her lips quivered. "You know that dad went d

receive an

en the ring came at the door, and Sir Hector

red him," murmured Crave

ut let that pass, Edwin. The point is that dad did not get an explanation; but some

nds does he b

o is Sir Hector's lawyer. And when he left this very room." continued Claudia, sinking her voice to a

nervous as she was herself. "Did he say that, he had ris

more or less

to mean that he

ough and fierce but he would never kill a feeble old man like Sir Hector. Besides, there was no reason why he should, as when I married Sir He

at as the marriage was postponed there was

ou against dad?" she asked sharply. "If you are, I wish

I wish to place all points before you. I do not believe Mr.

estlessly. "Therefore, Edwin, until you find

was dismayed b

all never be happy until the truth is known. Lear

ugh you set me a hard t

girl, seeing how ne

l never get it. Nor will your father. Sir Hect

red if he knew more about the crime than he admitted

ype="