The Borough Treasurer

otherstone. There was a curious suggestion in that glance which Cotherstone did

asked Mallalie

e, turning towards the of

the High Street-to run against Bent and Brereton, who were hurrying in

rborough's been taken, I mean. Now, how was he taken?" he went on, turning to the

to his house half an hour or so ago-when it was just getting nicely light-and two of our men that were there tol

arked Mallalieu, drily. "He'd b

ing to be seen there which betokened that a drama of life and death was being constructed in that formal-looking place of neutral-coloured walls, precise furniture, and atmosphere of repression.

d a man's scornful voice. "It shoul

somewhat gipsy-like features, much tanned by the weather, as if he were perpetually exposed to sun and wind, rain and hail; sharp of movement, evidently of more than ordinary intelligence, and, in spite of his rough garments and fur cap, having an indefinable air of gentility and breeding about him. Brereton had already noticed the pitch and inflection of his voice; now,

Mallalieu coming to a halt and lookin

nd nodded. And Harborough took that nod a

y. I know no more of his murder than you do-not so much, I should say-for I know naught at all beyond what I've been told. I left my house at eight o'clock last night-I've been away all night-I g

e's no accounting for what folks will do-in such cases. B

at was evidently cut off one of my coils. Now, is there any man in his common senses would belie

efore you could take that cord of

s. "And the chances are in my favour. No, sir!-whoever did this job, cut that length of cord off my coil, which anybody c

rintendent and then faced Harborough squa

e thing to do, and it'll clear this up as far as you're concern

by the rattling of the fire-irons which she now arranged in the fender. Everybody was watching the suspected man, and nobody as keenly as Brere

good time without that. It's not necessary for me to say.

tell?" ask

ll," replied

er, you know,"

k set to prove that I killed yon old man. No, sir! But--" here he paused, and looking round him, laughed almost maliciously "-but I'll tell you what

say that word?"

nuine contempt. "What is there against me? Naught! As I say, there's law in this country-there's such a t

erintendent. Succeeding in his attempts at last, he beckoned that official into a quiet corner of the room, and turning his back on t

ugh in his stealthy, steady fashion. H

If you can't or won't tell what you've been doing with yourse

holding something in his hand.

oot?-turn the sole up," he as

nd when he had shown the sole of the left foot, the superintendent op

just now, as it were-where this affair happened. You must have lost it there during the last few

terday. And if it was picked up in that wood, what then? I passed through there last night on my wa

im. Almost at once he himself turned away and left the room,

have to detain you-and I shall have to charge you, presently. I

art. "I'd be obliged to you if you'd do something for me. Go and tell my daughter about this, if you please! You see, I came straight down here-I didn't go in

n on the arm, and led him out into the street. "Well?" he as

ally, should say he is innocent. But then, you know, I've known the most hardened and crafty criminals assume an air of innocence, and keep it up,

ou think of th

d on it, and he'll go for trial. All that's certain-unless he's a sensible man, a

"He must have some good reason. I won

ter coming towards us

nce, hastening in their direction and talking earnestly to a middle-ag

ng cards with last night. She's governess to Northrop's two younger children-I expect she's h

vered his message. He twice repeated Harborough's injunction

know him. And I know that if he's said he won't tell anything about his whereabouts las

ell you?" sugg

shook h

wn-where he goes. There's some mystery about it-I know there is. He won't tell-he'll let things go to the l

ay?" as

nnocent as I am-find the man who did it and clear him that way. Don't wait for what these police people do-they

hat police are, Mr. Bent-if they get hold of one notion they're deaf to all others. While they're co

o?" asked Bent. "What

been tracked here. Find out if there was any motive!" She paused and looked half appealingly, half-searchingly at Bre

y. "Whatever else is done, your father's got to be defended. I'll defen

exclaimed Northrop

citor, and he'll see me. Then I can appear in due form when they bring your father before the magistrates. Look here, Bent," he went on, wishing to stop any expression of gratitude from the girl, "you take M

direction of the Shawl, walked him a few p

ou know of this

to hear him talk, he'd been a gentleman. You can see what his daughter is-he educated her well. He's means of some sort-

d find out who did," observed Brereton. "There is

a man of mine that's poorly in bed. Now, I never heard aught, never saw aught-but then, it's true I was hurrying-I'd made an appointment for a hand at whist with the

d Brereton. "Well,-I'll se

Bent and Avice at a distanc

Highmarket at a critical period of last night. Mallalieu didn't go to cards with Northrop until