The Red Window

bandana woven of strong silk, and eminently suited to the deadly purpose it had been used for. But how had the dead man's own handkerchief been so utilised by the murdere

the old baronet had been first rendered unconscious, and then s

asked Gore, in a hoarse voic

s shriek, was hurrying to see what was the matter. As the door had been left open he would know where to enter. These thoughts flashed through Mrs. Gilroy's mind as she stared at the pale young man. Also there were sounds in the lower parts of the house hinting

his?" repeated Gore, w

id Mrs. Gilroy. "I wonder if he d

tinct, although it could not have been so long. The skin was still warm to the touch, but that might have been because the room was heated. A

endowed with life, flung herself in his path. "No!" sh

she laid on his sleeve. "The servants are up-a policeman is e

w," muttered Mrs. Gi

t on Bernard's forehead, and h

er, hurriedly, "you fool! It is known tha

id not commit

y-the only way," she whispered to herself. "You killed him, you strangled him

nard, thinking he had

looking up the stairs. On the vision of this alarmed group reeled Mrs. Gilroy, clinging and shrieking to Bernard-"Help me-help me! He will escape!" The policeman blew a shrill whistle and said a sharp word to the page, who scampered out of the door for dear life. The cook and housemaid receded towards the back of the hall a

-murder!" cried Mrs.

e other serv

the policeman, with p

s is his grandson. H

ried Bernard, very pa

man. "Come up the stairs, we must see this corpse. A titled man, too, and yo

aid Bernard, his lips dry and

Mrs. Gilroy, turning to the hou

the cook. "Lor'," she gasped in terr

, then?" aske

g love and visiting m

ied Mrs. Gilroy, t

well out of the way. "It's the young so

house before," said

Bernard?" aske

s!

ou are

Sir Simon said he would see him after ten. Oh, Bernard, how could you!" sobbed Jane.

" said Gore, firmly. "

t. Help will be here soon, and

ng man, overwhelmed with hor

n myself. I waited below while you spoke with Sir Simon, and you left fifteen minutes ago. I went upstair

only ju

ou mean," sai

aster was dead,"

"how could you kill him! Lor'! tha

and, "footsteps. The other police are c

ernard, struggling to get free. "

chen for over a fortnight,"

but not me. Look wel

lamp, policeman," s

no time. Here are the police. We must go upstairs and see Sir

ut of it stepped Lucy and Julius. They entered the hall and looked amazed, as they well

his?" ask

y, running forward,

ndfather, miss,"

semaid. But Mrs. Gilroy still held her ground and caught hold of Beryl's arm. "Ke

, it is

ed pale and startled; "but you kn

y before him, and a memory of the housemaid's evidence and Beryl's enmity, he decided hastily to fly. In a moment he laid the policeman flat on his back by a quick wrestling trick, and darted out into the street. Mrs. Gilroy ran to the door shrieking murder, and the word was heard by three or

be caught," s

standing in the hall much distur

ed the housekeeper. "

officer, considerably ruffled

rawing him back. "You can't follow in the

e, and a white face appeared at the window of t

s grandson," said Julius, running

to the carriage and shrieked, "Oh

is upstairs with the corpse. Come and

rom her momentary alarm, and getting hastily

m," said James, touching his hat; "bu

the steps. "How terrible-poor Sir Simon.

m on the first floo

d light is?"

ed light," sai

Mrs. Webber. "I saw it when I

urried outside and looked up to the dark front of the h

ilroy, sitting down, evidently exha

p also-"there is none. Yet I am sure-I'll ask Lucy," and she ra

walked heavily up the stairs. "Are you in p

Gore gave me a wrench when I struggled with him. My poo

ing the limp hand. "How terrible it is!" she sobbed. "He was so well and bright when I left to go

thingly. "I think you had bet

rying her eyes. "

cook and the housemaid, who wer

bber, laying her hand on the girl's

ul moment. She was possessed of considerable determination, as could be seen from her firm mouth. But Lucy, in spite of her yout

d," she said, rising,

ing, dear," said

nother word, Julius. My post is here. Send for someone at once t

t up for the rest of the night drinking strong tea, and discussing the tragic event with the gusto

y to another room, answered the inquiries of an inspector who had appeared on the scene. He noted all replies made, and explained that th

sipping a glass of wine which she sore

room, nodding. "You do

rnard hanged," s

ou think he

, "and I know Bernard was on bad terms with Sir Simo

cording to Jane, Bernard has been hanging r

nging round the house, eh? I m

ernard has been m

ve that is tru

fancies sometimes," said Groom,

d she, decidedly, "and Bernard is far too fa

house," put in Beryl, biting his fingers impatiently. "Probably he came her

indow!" ec

e about the sign

d there is no Red Window here. Had I done tha

th a significant expression; "but the fac

did

f may have been used to make

oy may kno

a red light. Sir Simon had expressed the wish to see the soldier, and had

him?" asked t

f the place when he heard me coming. Once he was concealed in a cupboard

. "I remember the messa

Mrs. Gilroy. "I opened the door to h

man, then?"

nt to see the old gentleman, and I wa

u let h

nterview, I ran up the stairs and found Sir Simon dead. I c

ked the inspec

Gore, the grands

id Julius. "You say

come up the stairs and"-she mad

his grandson. Finally he proceeded to the kitchen and questioned the servants. The result of these inquiries was that Inspector Groom left the house-with a policeman in charge-firmly persuaded of B

e page, who had seen the two dark forms shooting past him. Only a yard or two lay between pursued and pursuer, and Gore, in spite of all his efforts, could not increase the distance. But he was determined not to be taken. Undoubtedly he had been drawn into a trap, and howsoever innocent he was, it might be impossible to prove that he was guiltle

n Gardens. His pursuer, still close on his heels, followed, and by this time another officer had joined. Bernard made up his mind and ran for the river. He crossed Cromwell Road, Fulham Road, spe

oliceman, who heard the p