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Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 71

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By READ ON HILL.

Author of "The Kiss of the Enemy," "The Sentence of the Court," "The Ocean King Mystery," "Millions of Mischief," "The One Who Saw," etc., etc.

£CdrairoHT.]

SYNOPSIS OF- PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

■CHAPTERS I and ll.— Norman Blythe returns to his native village of Monkswood, and is welcomed by John Benjafield, landlord of the Blythe Arms. The eldest son of Sir Bevys Blythe, of Monks-wood Chase, the younjr man is heir only to the empty title, having been •' disinherited by his father in favour of Ms step-brother, PAvul. ■ Now Norman has come home wealthy.' He inquires after Mildred Harden, his step-si«rt«r's governess. Despite the late hour and the advice of the innkeeper, he decides to visit the Chase that night. .The scene changes to the interior of Monkswood Chase. Sir Bevys, in. a -state of aemi-mtojdcation, warns- hia son. Paul- not to bo too attentive to Miss Harden, «a h* proposes to make" her Ijtdy Blythe when his second wife,, who is insane, dies. Shortly afterwards Sir Bevys Blythe is found murdered. Paul says that when he oame into the room he found Miss Harden there, and the window open. CHAPTERS 111 and IV.— John Benjafield hears of the tragedy early next morning. He meets Miss Harder^ who hints that Paul tried to throw suspicion, on. .her. The inn- v keeper informs her of Norman's return, and His vieit to Monkswood Chase. They both agree to keep silence concerning his presence in the neighbourhood. A new thread of the zia.Mrm.-tr'r.e ia tiz^rt i±rbro3.ixce>& T KcgroTrfng at tlie Hotel Ducal in London. Lord Croysdale and Ma son, th« Hon. Kenrick Herriot, have their attention drawn to * couple seated) at another table. The lady is Mine. Gloria- Carrington, o> noted palmist and crystal-gazer, and the gentleman Hector Dallas, lately returned from South Africa. They are 'strangers to begin with, but the . woman arouses his interest, and -then leaves Mm dumbfounded by telling him that he has an interest in 'the murder of Sir Bevys Blythe.