Inspector Stoddart's Most Famous Cases. Annie Haynes

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СКАЧАТЬ Hilary said with a sudden accession of energy, "Basil would never have run away. I don't believe that he would have shot anybody, even in a rage. But if he had he would not have run away."

      "Well, who do you suppose did shoot the woman, then?"

      "I don't know. I haven't the slightest idea who Iris Houlton's associates may have been," Hilary returned impatiently. "I dare say it was some burglar. She seems to have had a lot of money."

      "Yes. And now I hope it will come out where she got it from," Miss Lavinia retorted significantly.

      Hilary made no rejoinder; she sat on, the "Daily Wire" spread out on the table before her, either absorbed in its perusal, or meditating over the crime that had been committed.

      Miss Lavinia got up and after a compassionate glance at Hilary's brown head went out to talk to Fee on the lawn.

      He had not seen the paper or heard of the crime and was as usual absorbed in his own ailments, and the prospects of a cure held out by Dr. Blathwayte. He found his aunt an unusually sympathetic listener, for Miss Lavinia was too much occupied with her own thoughts to do more than reply at suitable intervals.

      It seemed a terribly long morning to Miss Lavinia; more than once she went back to the house, but Hilary had locked herself in her own room and refused to see her aunt.

      At last the gong sounded for lunch and Miss Lavinia rose as their man came out to wheel Fee in.

      At the same moment the garden gate clicked and, looking round, Miss Lavinia beheld the tall figure of Sir Felix Skrine. He came quickly across to her.

      "Where is Hilary?"

      "Upstairs. I haven't seen her since breakfast."

      "She knows?"

      Miss Lavinia nodded. "All there is to know I expect. I take in the 'Daily Wire,' and it would not miss a line of such a happening."

      "Poor child! It is a terrible thing for her," Sir Felix said sympathetically.

      "Oh, well, I don't know. As far as Hilary is concerned it may all be for the best. Put an end to all the nonsense she has been brooding over once and for all. If only the unfortunate young man is not caught."

      "Then you haven't heard?" Sir Felix turned and looked at her.

      "Just what was in the first edition of the paper," Miss Lavinia glanced at him inquiringly. "You do not mean—?"

      "Basil Wilton was taken to a police station at a late hour last night. He was recognized by a constable a couple of streets from Hawksview Mansions." Sir Felix said gravely. "In all probability he will be brought before the magistrates today."

      "What is that you say, Sir Felix?"

      Unheard by them Hilary had come across the grass. She was wearing her hat and outdoor dress. Her face was very white, but her eyes were bright and keen as she glanced from her aunt to Sir Felix.

      "Well, what were you telling Aunt Lavinia, Sir Felix?" she questioned sharply.

      For a moment the lawyer hesitated. Then a glance at the girl's face told him that the truth would be the most merciful thing.

      "Basil Wilton was taken to the police station last night and detained. He will be charged with the murder of his wife today in all probability."

      "He did not do it!" Hilary snapped.

      Sir Felix bowed. "I hope he did not. But at the present time the whole case is shrouded in mystery."

      "But you say they have arrested him—Basil!"

      "Not exactly arrested—taken to the police station and detained on suspicion. Look!" Sir Felix spread out a thin sheet of paper.

      "The 'Daily Wire'—racing edition," Hilary read. "I don't see."

      Sir Felix pointed to the stop press news at the side.

      Hawksview Mansions mystery—Murdered Bride. Arrest of the husband. We understand that Basil Wilton, the husband of the young woman found dead in Hawksview Mansions, was taken to the police station at a late hour last night, that valuable clues are in the hands of the police. It is rumoured that another arrest is imminent.

      Hilary's eyes and voice were alike steady as she looked up.

      "And this is true?"

      "I believe so. I think there can be no doubt that it is."

      "What is the difference between being taken to the police station on suspicion and being arrested?" Hilary demanded.

      Sir Felix frowned. "Not much. Still, a man only detained on suspicion is more likely to be released than one who is formally arrested."

      Hilary pointed to the end of the paragraph.

      "And the other clues in the hands of the police?"

      Sir Felix shrugged his shoulders. "I know nothing of them. The usual penny-a-line rubbish, I suppose."

      "Sir Felix, you will lunch with us," Miss Lavinia interrupted at this juncture. "A slice of cold lamb and a salad. That is all we can offer you. But you will be very welcome."

      "Thank you, I shall be delighted."

      But Sir Felix looked at Hilary. Would he have a welcome from her? The question was patent. Hilary answered by turning to her aunt.

      "I cannot stay to lunch, Aunt Lavinia, I am going up to town. If I get the 2.20, it just catches the express at Sempton."

      "And what are you going to do when you do get there?" Miss Lavinia demanded. "And where are you going to stay, may I ask?"

      Hilary put her hand to her head.

      "I don't know. I shall get in somewhere. I dare say Amy Wilson would take me in if she is at home. She has a studio off Holland Road. It is an old promise that I should pay her a visit. I'll see if she will have me now."

      "And why in the name of all that is idiotic should you choose to run off at the present moment?" Miss Lavinia went on pitilessly.

      Hilary twisted her hands together. Her eyes wandered from her aunt's face to Sir Felix Skrine's averted eyes.

      "Aunt Lavinia, I must go. I must see Basil. I must be near him and tell him that if all the world believes him guilty I know he is innocent."

      Miss Lavinia lifted up her hands.

      "Now, may Heaven give me patience! Do you imagine that, when a man is in prison charged with murdering his wife, he wants a sentimental girl meandering round reminding him of an old love affair? I don't suppose he will even see you. He has something other than kisses and fooling to think of now."

      "So have I!" Hilary said indignantly. "Really, Aunt Lavinia, I think—"

      "Hilary!" Sir Felix Skrine's face was grave as he turned and caught the girl's hands. "Do you know what your going up to town will mean to Wilton?"

      Hilary flushed quickly. "What СКАЧАТЬ