red by the public. The world may sneer at sensational journalism,
but after all it loves to have its curiosity excited over the tragic
denouement of some domestic secret. As soon as the first information
reached the Central News and Press Association, therefore, reporters
crowded upon us. Representatives, not only of the metropolitan press,
but those of the local newspapers, the "Richmond and Twickenham
Times," the "Independent," over at Brentford, the "Middlesex
Chronicle" at Hounslow, and the "Middlesex Mercury," of Isleworth, all
vied with each other in obtaining the most accurate information.

"Say nothing," Jevons urged. "Be civil, but keep your mouth closed
tight. There are one or two friends of mine among the crowd. I'll see
them and give them something that will carry the story further.
Remember, you mustn't make any statement whatsoever."

I obeyed him, and although the reporters followed me about all the
morning, and outside the house the police had difficulty in preventing
a crowd assembling, I refused to express any opinion or describe
anything I had witnessed.

At eleven o'clock I received a wire from Sir Bernard at Hove as
follows:--

"Much shocked at news. Unfortunately very unwell, but shall endeavour
to be with you later in the day."

At mid-day I called at the neighbour's house close to Kew Gardens
Station, where the widow and her sister had taken refuge. Mrs.
Courtenay was utterly broken down, for Ethelwynn had told her the
terrible truth that her husband had been murdered, and both women
pounced upon me eagerly to ascertain what theory the police now held.

I looked at the woman who had held me so long beneath her spell. Was
it possible that one so open-faced and pure could be the author of so
dastardly and cowardly a crime? Her face was white and anxious, but
the countenance had now reassumed its normal innocence of expression,
and in her eyes I saw the genuine love-look of old. She had arranged
her hair and dress, and no longer wore the shawl.

"It's terrible--terrible, Ralph," she cried. "Poor Mary! The blow has
utterly crushed her."

"I am to blame--it is my own fault!" exclaimed the young widow,
hoarsely. "But I had no idea that his end was so near. I tried to be a
dutiful wife, but oh--only Ethelwynn knows how hard it was, and how I
suffered. His malady made him unbearable, and instead of quarrelling I
thought the better plan was to go out and leave him with the nurse.
What people hav