The Herapath Property

xi-cab

hat several other people were similarly employed. The truth was that Triffitt had headed his column: "Mysterious Death of Mr. Herapath, M.P. Is It Suicide or Murder?"-and as this also appeared in great staring letters on the contents bills which the newsboys were carrying about with them, and as Herapath had be

anion. "Not much! Catch old Jacob Herapath at that game-he was a deuced dea

tius, and he followed her and closed the door. Looking narrowly at her, he saw that the girl had been shedding tears, and he laid his hand shyly yet sympathetically on her arm. "Yes," he said quietly, "I've

trusive, inoffensive old gentleman that she wondered more than ever

r thing?"

now that Jacob Herapath's bustling and strenuous

t, my dear," he answered. "Don't even for a fraction of time allow your

. It is, as you say, impossible. I knew him t

same opinion just now. Of course! It's the only opinion. Yet in the newspaper

t's in the newspapers al

Argus special, which he had ca

's extraordinary, now, how these affairs seem to fascinate peop

ow all this?" asked Peggie, glancing

d the Press are in constant touch. Of course, it's well they should be-it attracts public notice. And in cases like this, public

the newspaper and looked

uldn't Barthorpe let you come into that r

ooking out into the square for a while. When at last he spoke his voice was singularly even and c

disposed towards me. I have observed a certain coldness, a contempt, on his part. I have been aware that he has resented my presence

imed Peggie. "Why, you came here so

se, fifteen years," said Mr. Tertius, reflectively. "F

spectacles and ran down into his beard, and Peggie, catching sight

anyway. I don't like Barthorpe when he's like that-I hate that side of him. And anyhow,

gravely sh

eful person. I do not know what provision my poor friend may have made, but Barthorpe, you

by the entrance of a footman who cam

unced. "He says he would like to speak to some one abo

s. And Mr. Tertius quickly

young man who carried a copy of the Argus in his hand. "Yes?" he said, closing the door behind them and motioning the man to a seat. "You wish t

driver lift

nswered. "I've just been reading

Mr. Tertius

this morning," answered the driver. "Gentlema

Peggie, who was inten

drove either Mr. Herapath or a gentleman of his appearance

o this part-came for the first ti

Tertius, interrupting him. "Tell us

t night it was. My taxi belongs to a man as keeps half a dozen, and he put me on to night work, this end of Oxford Street. Well, it 'ud be just about a quarter to two this morning when a tall, well-built gentleman comes out of Orchard Street and made for my cab.

, which way did he g

the driver. "And there he crossed the road. I see him cross, because I

gentleman was like in app

them overcoats with a big fur collar to it, and he'd the collar turned high up about his neck and cheeks, and his hat-one of them slouched, soft hats

ilt, you say?" ob

feet, I should have called him," replied the d

us turned

nd let me see if our friend here can recognize them. You didn't notice anything else about you

minute and studying the ceiling for another, slowly shook his

ght of it until now, but now you mention it, there was. I noticed he'd a parti

ne diamond ring on his left hand?

ting in, sir, and I noticed how it flashed," answered the

rtius. "He wasn't we

r. He was carrying some papers in i

from his chair and put a hand in his pocket. "Now, my friend," he went on, chinkin

the driver. "Came

the police-yet. In fact, not a word to them until I say you may. Keep your mouth shut until I tell you to open it-I shall know where to find you. If you want me, keep an eye open for me in the square outside, or in the st

ereigns, and touched his fo

erstand. Depend on me, sir-I shan

ozen cabinet photographs in her hand. On

ize any of the

eggie showed him a half-length of her uncle

take my 'davy about the coat and the hat! That's what the gentle

hat," murmured Mr. Tertius. "Very good-very good

before the footman opened the door. As the door closed Mr. Tertius turned slowly

"Jacob Herapath never wore

of C