The Red Window

dson. The general opinion was that Bernard should not only be hanged, but drawn and quartered, as his crime amounted to parricide. But this vengeful demand was made only by the extreme p

he man had really committed the crime. But this was as it should be,

utes and they had little time to exchange opinions. But Durham assured Miss Berengaria that he was certain Bernard was innocent, upon which the old

ard was still alive. But the general opinion was that he had been drowned while escaping. Mrs. Gilroy was also present with Lucy, and these sat in the body of the court near Miss Berengaria. That old dame knew well that the housekeeper was no friend to the accused man, but she was not certain as regards Lucy. As Miss Rando

the names of the witnesses he proposed to call. Amongst these were Jane and the cook, also the page, for these three domestics had frequently seen the soldier who had c

it was produced in court; but the handkerchief steeped in chloroform which had been bound round the mouth was missing. It was a white one according to the evidence of the housekeeper, and had been loosened from the mouth by Bernard himself when she brought him up to look on his victim. Groom expressed annoyance at this, as the handkerchief was an important piece of evidenc

w his grandfather out of the window. She also explained the cause of the quarrel and the name of Alice was mentioned, much to the wrath of Miss Plantagenet. Afterwards the housekeeper went on to state that Bernard had visited in Crimea Square. She had never seen him, as he was

ho carried

t once, refusing to come up. Afterwards he had apparently changed his mind

id you see

ouse hurriedly. I saw him go out of the door. I called after him. He did not answer. I then ran upstairs, and found Sir Simon dead. I came down again and ran out in pursuit of Mr. Gore, crying o

tainly killed the old man. At the interview at the Hall, she had heard h

threatened to throw Sir Simon out of the window. I did not hear him use the word strangle. I never saw him when he came to the kitchen at Crimea Square,

to be very inquisitive about Sir Simon. He came many times, and was introduced to the cook. Also William, the page, saw him. He called himself Bernard, nothing more, and did not make use of his name of Gore. Whenever Mrs. Gilroy was heard coming he always hid himself. He seemed afraid to meet her. Both witness and cook connived at the concealment as they feared the rebuke

He was known as Corporal Bernard. On the night of the murder he had obtained leave of absence to dine with a friend and had left the barracks before five. It was between five an

at seven at the house and had left it at ten o'clock. Witness produced Sir Simon's letter stating that Gore was courting the housemaid Jane. But Durham swore that

ave gone from your house

o intention of going, and certainly he had no idea of kil

esentations Dick West (alias Lord Conniston) was not called. It is needless to say that the real name of this witness was not known. Had it

s that there was a strong one. Mr. Beryl's evidence showed that a bitter quarrel existed, and this was confirmed both by Miss Randolph and Mrs. Gilroy. Even the word "strangled" had been used, and in that way Sir Simon had met with his death. Without doubt Gore, furious at being disinherited, had called to see Sir Simon, to see if he could be reinstated. Doubtless, as both had fiery tempers, a quarrel had taken place, and then the younger man, having rendered the older one unconscious by means of chloroform,

against Bernard Gore. Durham expected the verdict and so did Miss Plantagenet, but both of them

he drove back in her brougham with

m. "Under the circumstances the jury cou

nard is innocent,"

on the evidenc

iss Berengaria. "I go by my own knowled

he men on the jury

changed the subject, being determined not to acknowle

e drowned for

know, and you

Did I know anything I might be able

se he is

you say that?" aske

ard is not the man to die when his li

t Durham, with a shrug, held his tongue.

umor. "I am quite upset by all the rubbish those

to Gore Hall an

y. "Can you do that until you ar

ay be dead

't, I t

ought to be so," said Durham, giving up th

Miss Bereng

Gore should he be alive and in hid

id old-Well, we'll say nothing about that. But he has left the money to

tating. "I can't tell you the content

me that. I'll come to the Hall and hear i

said," replied the solicitor, suppre

pondering. "So Bernard's n

er sai

t I'm a horse or blind. Thank God I have my eyesight and can read print with glasses. Well, ke

ble," said Durham, rather surprised at heari

e thinks

hunt," replied the

aria, rubbing her nose

mean, Miss

ney to his rightful heir. What a joke!" Miss Berengaria chuckled. "There! there!" she went on, catching Durham's eyes. "It's all right. You have

ed, with some little hesitation, "Miss Plantagenet, should Ber

e lady. "I det

Bernard

ead?" she asked sharply and p

that after the re

chuckled. "After

make advanc

hinks I will tell him where Berna

s alive," said Durham, astonished to fi

quite expect that Bernard will communicate with Alice, and of cou

ed Durham, quickly, as the brou

f dead he will-no, I can't say what he will do as I don't know if the money, failing Bernard, i

hat is to be done. Not a word, young man. I am Bernard's friend and so are you. If we don't combine it's all up with the poor fool." Durham followed the energetic lady with a feeling of helplessness, not knowing very well how to get rid of her. And he had particular reasons for not having her in the office. Conniston was coming to see him, and a meeting between him and his aunt might be producti

g man, "and who is this?" She turned to Durham, who s

ill you leave us for

ation. With a grim smile she looked at the astonished young man. "So you are Dick," she said looking at him through a double eyeglass

, while Durham, giving up Miss Plantagene

ense. Don't you rememb

ughing. "Oh! by Jove!

ng him her hand. "I don't like league-long names.

, hastily. "Lord Conniston and

l call you Dick," she interpolated-"you are Bernard's friend, as h

into his confidence. "I have chucked the

d what

. But I'll stop till I prove the in

he is alive, Connis

's a letter from Bernard. He is saf