Samuel Boyd of Catchpole Square

son, & Viney, London a

TEN

*

H

DEATH

D SETS A TRAP

ASHION PAYS SAMU

LENCE

EBEE AND CONSTABL

NE! THROUGH D

OP STREET PO

FLORENCE OUGHT TO MARR

PPEARANCE OF

B AND DICK

INGTON REVIE

HE BEHAVED HIMSELF IN TH

T IN THE HOU

EF WHICH CONSTABLE POND PI

AN ARRANGEMENT W

ERS FROM

LITTLE W

S FRIEND, OF TH

R A SIEGE AND COMMENC

MAKES A D

CHAMBER

GRACIE'S FEELING BY

ORENCE AN

EN TAKES AN IN

HARTON AT T

BUSY BEE" GETS A

E BUSY BEE" ENLIG

BURSTING O

ERN KNIGHT

ALD'S MAN

S IN CATCHP

E BUSY BEE'S" REP

SCENES I

ATHERING

HARTON START

NTINUATION OF

PYE MAKES

T THE MYSTERY SEEMS IMPENETRABLE, B

CE MAKES A

CTRE IN THE

ERER MIGHT HAVE

FAMILY

PLAYS THE PART O

HE CAUSE O

ROSS P

EE'S" REPORT OF THE CONT

SY BEE" CONTINUES ITS

CORONER'S

GRACIE DEATH

NN, THE MO

DEAD

ESTED FO

ATES THE STORY O

BUSY BEE" OF FRIDAY, T

E APPLEBEE O

E DIARY OF DAVID LAMBE

E LAMBERT CONT

SCOVERY OF TH

APPLEBEE DISTIN

DIARY OF DETE

TLE BUSY BEE" OF T

HE MAGISTR

INUATION OF

TARTLING

"THE LITTL

I.

UEL

CHPOLE

*

YST

*

PTE

EATH A

the last of a number of letters, in accordance with the instructions of his employer, Mr. Samuel Boyd, of No. 6, Catchpole Square, in the North district of London. The letters all referred to Money: to Money due for principal and interest, and to warnings and threats

yed; his hands were long and lean, his movements eager and restless. Clad in shabby and badly fitting clothes,

ed in the wall and securely locked; here a grand piano, locked; here weapons and armour of all nations, and pictures in which lay dumb stories of fruitless genius and disappointed ambition; here pieces of valuable china and bric-à-brac; here some dozens of wine of a rare vintage; here hangings of old tapestry; here (the oddest feature in the heterogeneous collection) a waxwor

, and these evidences of decay forcibly illustrated how low it had fallen from its once high estate. For assuredly in years long since passed by it had been inhabited by persons of wealth and fashion and good taste. Time was, indeed, when these walls resounded to gay music and revelry, when satin-slippered feet glided over the polished floor, and bright eyes smiled, and bold lips murmured into beauty's ears. Here shone the sunny as

e nature of his thoughts. But he did not venture to lay his hand upon them, knowing full well that strict account was kept, and that if he appropriated but a single bottle the offence would be detected the moment his employer entered; so he took his fate in his hands by extracting from his coat a twist

nto a chipped cup. "No, no, Mr. Boyd. Yo

nce, and the conditions of his engagement were strict and onerous, the most trifling transgression of the rules laid down being visite

heard the opening and the shutting of the street door, followed by steps

you, Mr

ool, for it was not the v

an honest eye and a graceful manner. In the teeth of these advantages there was an expression

imed Abel Death, staring o

eplied Mr. Reginald. "You

ld, yes, still i

lled round the room. "Whe

nswered in I

d you g

ald held

to say----" stam

"No. It is the old key which I took aw

interposed

or I should no

what he

what he

w in this house

e subject. I ask you ag

ut

ill he

u. He has his ways. He likes t

he w

--no change!" He said this in the tone of a man who would not

rom his pocket. "It is six o'clock

eg you not to,

hy

cult for me to get

no wish to injure yo

you. Earnestly, I s

I must see him, I tell y

orry you have come down in

a curious contraction of his brows. "

waistcoat pocket. "It

rily, half lugubriously, "but your lines have not been cast

bel Death, in

y having come down in the world, why, then, I

e books to

you to tell my father that I will call again at ten

. I wouldn't venture to te

e I'll not t

ld, I beg you, as a particular favour

the strange collection of goods in the room. "My father gets ple

eckage, Mr.

der his breath as he left

PTE

ETS A TRAP FO

desk at which he was working; the distant spaces in the room were in deep shadow, and an occasional shifting of a candle seemingly imbued many of the objects by which he was surrounded with a weird and fitful life. This was especially the case with the wax figure, which was that of a Chinaman who might have come straight from the Chamber of Horrors, so ghastly was its face in this dim light. Being not quite firm on its legs any hurried movement in its direction caused it to quiver as though it were set on wires; and once, when Abel Death threw a heavy ledger from his desk on to the table, the oscillation of the figure was sufficiently fantastic to have engendered the fancy that it was preparing to leap upon the living man and do him violence. Neither Mr. Samuel Boyd nor Abel Death could have informed a curious inquirer who the figure w

ng insubstantial forms and shapes as monstrous as the fancies of a madman's brain. Catchpole Square was a blind thoroughfare--being, as has been elsewhere described, like a bottle with a very narrow neck to it--and was therefore undisturbed by the tumult of the city's streets; and the prevailing silence, in which there was something deathly, was broken only by the sobbing and moaning of the rising wind which, having got into the Square, was making despairing efforts to get out. These s

The man coming up paused three or four times either to get his br

of countenance and in certain little mannerisms of gesture which in the younger man were indi

sir," said Abel Deat

round to convince himself that nothing had been removed or disturbed. Even

tten?" he inquired, seat

are,

posted up

Everythin

y one c

promptly repl

s at the s

, s

re was a lett

haped themselves in

upon whom no movement on the part of

that the postman was

r, too clever! The men I employ must do their work

ver found me

for it. When did you kn

er,

you did not go down to th

, s

een out of the hous

, s

t of th

, s

our office coat on, and your office sli

ge. "May I hope, sir, that you will grant the request you kindly promised to consider? It may be a matt

You asked m

nds. I have trouble and sickne

ployment should need a loan unless it is for the gratification of some

t know how it is," said Abel Death, rubbing his forehead as though he were endeavouring to rub some problem out of it, o

nce. Thrift, Abel, thrift. That is the lesson

only ten pounds,"

ten to him. He calls ten pounds a small sum

ly that to

neering smile, "you will call down heaven's blessi

" replied Abel

question of se

--I will pay you any interest you like to charge. You can deduct five shillings from my wages every week till the d

ing are no security. No business man would lend a shilling on them. They are not Property. You remarked a moment

sir!" stamme

uest, and with inward misgivings, Abel Death lifted the slippers

ppers and the question of unfaithfulness which Mr. Boyd had raised, he obeyed the order. H

in his chair. "You can pack them up with you

want them to-

e, Abel Death. I

ir

conditions of your engagement with me were that in the event of the slightest vi

sir?" cried Abel Death, despairingly. "G

er way we turn. Do not send to me for a character; it will not assist you to obtain another situation." Abel Death gazed at the hard

as n

t, Abel, be honest. It is the b

said Abel Death, in a shaking voi

cting you as I have done I laid a trap for you this afternoon--a simple, artless trap. Observe this thin piece of brown paper, observe this little piece

taring at the paper and moving

ieces of this paper, each with a very small piece of wax on the top of it, and placed them on those parts of

clear

e soles of your slippers I do not see one o

oke the truth when I declared that I had not left the room

ound only two of the eight pieces of paper I deposited there so carefully--so very carefully! Six pieces of the eight I placed there had affixed themselves to the soles of the shoes o

el Death, reduced to a state of abject f

tening, A

stake, sir--

nd by such a clev

ble to error. A person has been in this room, but I

tarting from his chair in

. How could I help that, sir--I

e silence he took a revolver from a drawer, which he unloc

sir, Mr.

was forbidde

duced the key he was in the habit of using when he lived here. He wanted to see you, and I told him you were not in. He said he would wait, and I begged him not to, because I knew you would be angry if y

that this visit should

at we were in--in----" He coul

construction upon the interview. "In league to rob me. A fair and reasonable suspicion whic

plied Abel Death,

ur money. Y

thdraw it. Think what it means to me--what it means to my fami

. Go--go and starve!--and never s

held the revolver straight before him, with his finger on the trigger. Muttering, "God help me!" Abel Death took up the few shillings which Mr. Boyd had placed upon the table, and backed out of the room, foll

believe

r. Boyd, "I bel

, pointing a shaking finger at him. "Remember that, S

s lips, closed the door and put up the chain. Then, with deli

TER

ION PAYS SAMUE

ce. But one thing was certain. By whatever motive he may have been guided he held his way with absolute dependence on his own resources to triumph easily over every obstacle that might present itself. As to the manner in which these triumphs were obtained it mattered little to him whether he merely brushed aside the persons who opposed him, or trampled them into the dust. Their mortification, their sufferings, their destruction, concerned him not and did not trouble him. There are men who, in the co

onounced upon Abel Death, or that he gave a moment's thought to the poor clerk who was trudging home a

im at eight o'clock this evening. He had not long to wait, for by his watch he saw that it wanted

he knocking was repeated, more impatiently and peremptorily the second time t

amuel Boyd?"

y waiting in such a dreadful place as this, the entrance to which is so narrow

id Mr. Boyd, fumbling at the chain

hfare this was she would have thought twice before she'd have ventured into it." There was nothing q

it is too late now for Lady Wharton to think better of

n o'clock shout for help at the top of your voice." These last words were addressed to a footman, who, holding a large green umbrella over her ladyship's head, had accompanied her from her carriage to the door of Mr. Boyd's dwelling. "John is my confidential man

dly follow me," said Mr. B

kes matters worse. The stairs are safe, I hope? There are no trapdoors in them through which a defenceless woman might s

y, quite safe. Permit me to

There was a hearty good nature in her face which matched well with her brisk voice. Her eyes were bright, her movements quick and decided. Eminentl

means could select." Here she caught sight of the wax figure of the Chinaman, wh

er than nothing, if only for melting down. All these things have been taken for

with twinkling eyes "How very sad!

very gratef

gh. "Singular creature! Sh

money. You will be comf

te sides of the table, the crafty, cringing face of the m

chel on the table, and took some papers from it. "My husband owes you a la

s yesterday. One day's interest has to be added if you are prepared to pay to-night.

d of course you know that I have come in the place of my

I have seen nothing in him to cause me to think he is weak-minded. He came to me to borr

not met to contradict each other, or to raise up difficulties,

hip pleases,"

erstanding went, when, Lord Wharton being ill in bed, I opened up

hip is to

when he wishes for a thing, he will promise anything, consent to anything, sign anything, so long as he gets it. He is really like a child in these matters, and having made up my mind that he wa

d, my

s me. He can get through a great deal of money. So can I. He is extravagant.

spend," sai

between you and me, Mr. Boyd"--here she laughed long and

urmured Mr. Boyd, in

suppose, is where gentlemen of your profession come in. Having now, in a manner

are, my

ered, twelve thousand pounds. Now, Mr. Boyd, I should no

ken in so often that I am almost be

ed. Lord Fairfax suggested that I should put the business into the hands of a lawyer." Mr. Boyd, with a scarcely perceptible motion, lifted his eyebrows. "I said, no. We have a rooted objection to lawyers in our family; they make your head ache. 'Quite right,' said Lord Fairfax. 'Have nothing to do with lawyers.' He never disputes, Mr. Boyd. The moment you say a thing he agrees to it. Then he said, 'Find out how much it amounts to.' I wrote to you, and you told me. You also sent me some bills, for the

ed them carefully, and jotted down figures on a piece of paper. Satisfa

in order,

order. I am making a great

. Boyd, for a little piece of business on my own acc

lady, a thousand poun

alarmed; I am going to give you security. I have been looking through my jewellery, and I found some things that have gone out of fashion. I will not sell them, but I am willing to depo

ny of the precious stones were in old settings, and he saw at a glance that they were worth considerably more than the thousand pounds which this reckless lady of

ail were presents from my father--they cost a great price, I believe--and I would not part with them

sand pounds immediately,

I want it now,

et it together in less than five or

the table with the tips of her fingers. "

sure, m

ery provoking. Lord Wharton is ordered int

u a cheque thr

y from you, and in bank notes. You can b

iculty, my lady. To wh

e give a ball there every year on the 7th of March. Of c

certain calculations on paper, and presently adding, "I can't p

ur business is over, I think. Bless my soul, how dismally the wind sounds in this house! If I don't get out of it qui

replied. "A charwoman comes when

ll me that you liv

e, and safer and more secure than

on, tapping him lightly on

self about women when you entere

ing him down the stairs as he led the way with

l man as he conducted her to her ca

that myself, my

PTE

CE RE

imagine this--how easy to imagine that, animated by a spirit of revenge for past wrongs and injuries, they moved and shifted, and glided hither and thither, and took fa

ce re

the time was not yet ripe? Had this phantom escaped from the lighted room in fear lest, were it visible to mortal eyes, its dread purpose would be frustrated, and that a frenzied cry ringing out upon the air, might reach some chance and aimless wanderer, and thus mar the murderous design lurking in its breast? Even of this the risk was small, for rarely indeed did any such wanderer find himself in Catchpole Square, or any man, who, being there without design, did not gladly and quickly grope his way out of it. The very guardians of t

long, now pausing again, now crouching with its head against a panel, and

he master in his bed, they were still there. So stealthy were their movements that no sound proce

ce re

horoughfares, trodden by men and women whose business or pleasure kept them out so late, what me

uare stood Saint Michael's Churc

e

ev

el

that pause the passing away of a life in the life of the great city, or the usheri

o'cl

prayer in his heart, before he retired to rest.

beat wildly, a cold perspirat

--and may struggle out of bed, still with the hand upon his mouth, and another at his throat--and may summon to his aid all the despairing forces of his body--nay, eve

lls, and smaller articles tossed in all directions. On the part of one of the men there is displayed a cold, cruel, relentless method in the exe

ax figure of the Chinaman collapses i

ael's Church pro

o'cl

ce re

PTE

EE AND CONSTABLE

almost promising the advent of spring. A few bold buds awoke and peeped out of their little brown beds, and over the atmosphere hung a hazy veil of dim, delicious sapphire. On the following day this promise was destroyed, and another change took place; and on the n

, "it was that thick you could have cut it with

t in it, my dear?" in

Applebee, the mother of eight, "trapesing up and down in the cold while I was setting before a blazing fire as comfortable as you please. 'A cup of hot co

coffee was cold," Mr

ond I cuddled it close; but I don't mind

find him at l

rly loved a secret or anything mysterious, pricked up her ears. "When Pond was put on the

tinue," ejaculat

ha

pinion

I hear it out comes my bird-call, and I give a soft blow. Only one, Polly, because it might be noticed and against the regulations.' It does often chance to happen that I'm Pond's way on a dark night," added Mrs. Pond, with a sly look, "and I give a soft blow and he give

es did he give

rs. Pond, archly, "against

on night duty. It was a dreadful night for our men to be out, but duty's duty a

r a house, but Pond says, 'Don't you fret, Polly; we'll soon get a lodger,

er was also enjoying repose. They lived in adjoining streets, and their husbands being in the Force and at present on

side of the way. They crawled to their places of business in a discontented frame of mind, through a white blinding mist which made them uncertain of the direction they were taking. To add to their perplexities the trams and omnibuses were not running, and jubilant cabmen, bent (paradoxically) on making hay while the sun shines, walked at their horses' hea

epressing effect. The fairies in the pantomimes which were still running were shorn of bright fancies, and even the bad spirits derived no pleasure from the perpetration of evil deeds. The few monomaniacs who believed that the end of the world was coming, were on their knees, waiting for the blast of Michael's trumpet. Topers stand

p in the person of Constable Applebee, who, himself animated by a similar hope in respect of Constable Pond, was advancing from an opposite direction. On this miserable night one crumb of comfort--oh, but it was more than a crumb; it might have been called a whol

, passing his arm around her. "My

ng his arm tighter. "You wouldn't do t

a herself with her gold crown on. Well, this is a su

. He did not consider t

tle of coffee into his hand, and paying good intere

eeth, and applying himself to the refreshment. "It's ever so much better th

conscience. Polly proposed to walk the beat with her husband all through the night, but this was such an alarming infringement of the regulations

ur way home?" he

" she answe

d it by the neck, and if anybody comes up to you give

n," he said. "A regular trump, that's what she is." But a couple of hours' loneliness sent his spirits down again, and now he was seeking his brother-constable Applebee to cheer him up with the friendly word. With the advance of the night the fog continued to deepen, and he got into

fur off, though whether it's to the right of me or the left of me, or before me or behind me, I'll be hanged if I can tell. What street am I in--Riley Street or Silv

mould. Their frontage was the same, their height was the same, their depth was the same, and each had the same number of rooms of exactly the same shape and dimensions, and

ance what might be likened to a dead star--the misty glimmering of a despondent light; and

there!"

!" came the e

emed to linger, as though they had not suffici

you, Ap

s me. Is

es

ounds strange

on, a friendly grasp of h

PTE

THROUGH DEA

then exclaimed

"It's a record, that's what it is. We had a bad spel

think

, and into the chest, and into the head; you can squeeze it through your fingers. When it's snow you know where you are; there it

r as I know I haven

. Anything

Have

anched off into what, apparently, was another s

wered Constable Pond, w

t like this s

wou

g, and nothing else, I'd put up with

said Constable

th it. That's what I complain of--and

ean?" inquired

mething stealing along a yard or two ahead of you, and you go to lay hold of

ve me th

substantial body in my way and I'll tackle it. But how can you tackle it when it melts and disappears? You call o

uld feel over it. But look here, Ap

I don't suppose, from the day I was born to this blessed night of white fog, that

tity seemed to impress Constable Pond, who turned it over in hi

onstable Applebee. "There was a black fog when I was bo

ked Constable Pond. "Yo

within half-a-dozen yards. Then I stop and hail it. The minute it hears my v

t of a lion. I don't bring to mind that there's any orde

happened a second time. There it was, creeping ahead of me. This time I don'

female shadder," sug

out it than I do," said C

lebee, n

hat's the consequence? It vanishes ag

e a third ti

it wasn't there. You run a sword through it, and it grinned in your face. I was that scared I couldn't sleep for a week afterwards. It'

what it is. It's singul

ght think I was off my head.

ass my lips

hooded court, a

e?" asked Co

ading to Catchpole Square, and leading nowhere els

ng of that, Applebee?"

sound as I do 'd find himself in a trap, with a entrance like this. Suppose you live in the end house where Mr. Samuel Boyd lives, and there's a fire in the middle

en in it to m

you can see much of it with this fog on, but I could describe it blindfold. Six houses with the street doors in front of us--we're standing facing 'em now--and

aid Constable Pond, peering b

acks of six houses, withou

the front

'd have a house with a bit of garden in front and a bit of garden at the back, with a rose tr

ay. Life's short

"You must have made a mess of it at school. My missis'd go wild with delig

able Pond, standing up

that's what it does, it mellers him, and whether you're rough or whether you're smooth it shows you've got a good heart. I never

y of a tip, I'll bet,"

oat and a smile or a cheery word to brighten you up. 'A wild night, constable,' he'd say, 'have a cigar?' And he'd slip one in my hand, and sometimes the price of a pint. It's nigh upon

give an account of yourself!" It was not a shadow, for shadows have no substance. It was not a shadow, for shadows have no voice. The sound of a sob escaped from the figure.

rambled out of Catchpole Square, and came into violent collision. Ruefully rubb

lmet off. Stooping to recover it he saw something white beneath it--a lady's handkerchi

s," he thought. "She's

TER

STREET POL

man as without, the white fog had insinuated itself into the Bishop Street Police Station, where it lay in the form of a semi-transparent shroud, and where Inspector Robson looked more like the ghost of a m

he Inspector wrote a fine copperplate hand, and his steel pen neither scratched nor spluttered. On the present occasion he was taking extraordinary care over his task, as though more than usually important issues hung upon the perfect outlines of his pothooks and hangers. The absence of sound within the office and the shroud which lay

for the difference in their ages these two men might have been posing to an

sure was powerless to arouse the cause of it from his apparent insensibility to all external objects and impressions. He was young and good-looking, his age probably twenty-four or five; Inspector Robson was old enough to be his father, and on hi

or, goaded at length into breaking the oppressive silence.

the young man, in a listless tone. "As to

ou are here upon business. Now, the question is, are you h

peared to reflect. Coming to a conclusion he langui

ty," said th

d the young man, with

you have business to be here----" This was so involved that it brought him to a full stop; scratching his head with

ested one foot, lowered it, and lifted the other u

to a helpless pass. A peculiar feature of the defeat he had met wi

n get into a

oft

ctor, with an anticipatory chuc

uncle, I'll

died up his papers, and looking over his sh

se tokens of serious emotion were like the passing of a cloud. The next

ou going to

al beds unoccupied there. Could a fellow get between the sheets of one? Do you think

be a

I hel

g and laying his hand kindly upon Dick's sho

hat the Inspector, by the barest possibility, migh

. "Aunt Rob won't have it. She's put her foot down,

vious statement seemed to amuse Dick, but h

ere's F

sad tenderness stole into Dick's eyes, but

s have this out,

agree

father to, and that I've behaved as a mother to. Ever since he was left an orphan, having lost his father, then his mother--you were three years old when my poor sister died--he's lived with us as one of our own, and so we've treate

lse cou

-and if there's one thing more than another that puts her back up it is to be took up sharp. You see, Dick,

lorence comes fir

eks at a time. Here he is, a grown man, and here is Florence, almost a grown woman.' To think of it!" said Inspector Robson, pensively, breaking off. "It was only yesterday that she was in short frocks, going backwar

s a woman, uncle, tha

know it, but it sets

ve minutes, during which the image of his only child, most tenderly and dear

TER

ENCE OUGHT TO MARRY

, too, saw with his mind's eye the image of the young girl for whom he would have laid down his life, and if

mself free from dreams, a

could be. You were playmates and chums, and you rolled on the floor together and played coach and horses and London Bridge is Falling Down, and you'd carry her on your shoulder and lift her as high as the ceiling, and throw her up and catch her, she screaming with delight and crying, 'Again, Dick, again!' You grew up, Dick, and when you were eighteen Florence was only twelve, and the kissing went on, and there was nothing to object to. But you got to be t

uppose so

ke Florence don't grow on every gooseberry bush. Show me th

," replied the young man. "God

her hand to, and the man that gets her will be a lucky chap. Aunt Rob thinks a gentleman born would not be too good for her. 'Why not say a mar

"could be too good for Florence. She's equal to the best, and cou

nd that's what we all think, and who that knows Florence could think differently? But let's

it won't stick to

ssion in the sewing machine line. You commenced well, and was earning your fifteen shillings a week. What was our surprise when you came home one night and told us you'd left because it wouldn't suit you? The next thing you took to was the stage, and you gave us tickets to come and see you act. We rehearsed at home, and Florence gave you the cues. As for your make-up as you call it, you did it so cleverly that we didn't know you when you come on

ed with, "Or

xt move was clerk to Mr. Sam

look of inquiry in his eyes as

n of him he's not the kind of man one would

e would do for a character that I could make up like if I ever went on the stage, or could use if ever I wrote another

eft him you took to writing for the papers, and we read your paragraphs and art

e, "but I haven't given it up enti

en't saved a penny--eh?" The young man made no reply, and Inspector Robson cried, half angrily, half admiringly, "What business had you to be making us presents and bringing things home for Aunt Rob and me and Florence when you ought to have been looking after yourself? What did you do it for?' Here's Dick brought home an immense turkey,' says Aunt Rob

try and make it up in some way. It was little enough I did, but if I hadn't done that little I should have been ashamed to look you in the face. Besi

you'd never have a shilling in your purse, you're that free with your money. A sailor come ashore after a two year's cruise is

o do anything of which you need be ashamed. I

no, D

friends a young ne'er-do-well ever had. If I could only make it up to you!" He turned his

t yourself into any money difficulty? Say the word,

Dick. "No, uncle. I owe no one a

ring or you'll get my temper up.

elf with a woman, or done anything wron

tell you what it is; you shall come home with me to-night, your room's ready for you, and I'll make it all right with Aunt Rob. Make it all right! It is a

has kept my ro

d Florence,

to himself, a wave of exceedi

nd clean. You know the pride that Aunt Rob takes in the house. You might eat off the floor. And there's Florence of a morning sweeping out your room, and looking in every corner for a speck of dust. There's th

," said Dick, shaking his head. "I tha

on, in great astonishment. "Why, what's the matte

ean it,

deuced ugly thing when it makes us take crooked views. I say you shall come home with me. Do you know what kind of a night it is, lad? I w

u; I wanted a shelter, and I hoped the fog would clear; but it seems to have grown thicker

. And

ne, and it will be da

-morrow

be nigh

and they don't charge for beds there that I'm aware of. How's the treasury, lad?" Dick laugh

you, uncle," said Di

ed the young man's fingers over it, holding the hand tight in his to prevent the money be

loitering for an unlawful purpose. What will Florence think when she sees your name in the

if he had been struck; but he recovered himself quickly,

ing stirring; stagnation's the order of the day. If I could hit upon something startling and be first in the field, I should get well paid f

of woebegone appearance. Her gestures, her sobs, the wild looks she cast around, were those of a woman dr

onger a private individual, but an officer of the law prepar

said the constable, "and last night as well, and t

ind him for me--find him for me! He's gone, go

nk, but a woman suffering from terrible distress; and by a motion of his hand he c

s name?" asked the Ins

's sake find him for me--find

oked her voice. Every nerve in he

been gone?" ask

ir, five long

in emp

Oh, what can hav

e name of h

ured overcame her, and she

r, of Catchpole Squa

PTE

EARANCE OF

ing cough, forcing what little blood she had in her poor body up into her pallid face, where it stood out in blotches of dull, unhealthy red! Such a wearing, tearing cough, as though some savage, malignant beast, lurking in her chest, was clawing at it in sheer devilry, and scraping it clean to the bone! Bu

ward to catch the woman, who, but for his timely help, would have fallen to the ground. Assis

rly, indeed, for she was but twelve years of age, and had about her few of the graces which speak of a happy child-life. How different is the springtime of such a child from that of one brought up in a home of comparative comfort, where the pinching

She simply suffered, and suffered in dull

glanced at Inspector Robson to see if it made any impression upon him. The Inspector gave no indication of this

she moaned.

from you?" aske

best husband, the best father! If you have any mercy in you, find him fo

acie, answering the questi

chest to emulation so strong that it straightway set to work, and the spectators had

ector Robson, with a look of pity; "sh

r," said Gracie. "It ain

d again, and Gracie'

nd drink?" aske

hfully. "How can you ask it? Gracie wi

ry weak. I like it strong," a

p to give you," sa

Gracie, "and a

ddressing the woman, "I will see what can be done. Take your tim

ime he had of it. We did the best we could upon his miserable salary,

t I can't. If it didn't worry mother, gentlemen, I wouldn't mind. It ketch

ned a paper, and though we've paid it twice over he makes out that we owe him more than we did at the beginning. O

le laugh, "I'd let it go cheap. It wouldn't fetch much, I reck

lks of it, sir. She ne

mustn't believe everythi

on't interrupt, or you'll

at. You will help moth

Inspector Robson, k

other word till she'

her trembling hand. "He hoped to get the loan of a few pounds from Mr. Boyd, so that we could pay the mo

hen she passed her word she was not in the habit of breaking it, so she contented herself with shutting her thin white lips tight, and l

en I saw my husband sitting at the table with his face hidden in his hands, I wondered what we were sent into the world for. Look at my little Gracie here, gentlemen. She doesn't weigh half her proper weight, and she hasn't an ounce of flesh on her bones. She's more like a skeleton than anything else, and so are we all. Look at her, a

uel fate. Gracie did not speak, but slid her little hand, cold as ice, into the hand of her mother, who clasped it convu

oduce a mug of hot tea into a police

son. "There's a can in the cupboard th

story," said Dick. "I've a reason fo

an and the shilling being given to the

an had sufficiently

board, but he pushed it away and wouldn't touch it. All at once he started up and said, 'I'm going out.' 'Where to?' I asked, and I put my hand on his arm to keep him at home, for his face was dreadful to see, and I was afraid of--I d

, I

hildren hadn't got to sleep yet, and if he returned while I was away it would put everything in confusion. I waited and waited till I could bear it no longer, and then I went out to look for him, thinking that perhaps Mr. Boyd had relented, and had given my husband work to do which kept him in the office all night. It was past two when I reached Catchpole Square, and looked up at the windows. There's never any life to be

empty cup and the can of hot tea. "Take a drink of this before you go on. It'

on to the police station was to take afternoon tea with the Inspector. Mrs. Death, too well acquainted with her child's character to attempt any persuasion, therefore drank first

nd may none of you ever feel the want of it.

tic side of the picture, might have caus

s she tilted it, and though the tea scalded her throat she made no pause till the last drop was finished. Then she sidled up t

thing about him. It was the same all day Sunday and all yesterday; I was never off my feet. Half-a-dozen times every day have I been to Catchpole

. Come to the magistrate's court to-morrow morning at twelve or one o'clock. I will be there, and will see that you get a h

e. "Thank you kindly for listening to me so patiently. Come, Gracie, we'll go home.

can promise that. Now get home as quickly as possible,

ou, please. I don't mind it, not a bit." She drew her breath hard as she added without any show of feeling, "You will find father, won't you? M

said Dick, who had listened to the

ence, though her fingers closed quickly and tightly over the coin, with the same gravity as distinguished all her movements. Emerging into the street she began to cough with great violence, and gasped and fought with her little fists, as though the

PTE

AND DICK A

or Robson. "You were wishing for something

replied, "but there's no telling what it

found that couldn't be identified, but it looks

d for it that he'd do his duty an

ment. I don't throw doubt on Mrs. Death's story, though I've heard some queer stories in my time and believed in them at the time they were told, only to find out a little later that there wasn't one word of truth in them.

low Mrs. Death's story

d's cough now--the ghost of a cough travelling through the fog. It

paused a moment. "Uncle Rob, you've

the fog's got into

ck, very earnestly, "to have tr

th which the words were spoken no less than by the words themselves. "

, "of the trouble that comes unexpectedly to m

rouble comes we've got to be

t comes upon you through the one you hold most dear, through

s lodgings with his head in his hands, and starts up to make one more appeal to Samuel Boyd. The fir

chpole Square, and knock

or the sake

n is, does he get

he Inspector, "we c

er the possibilities. Ther

ng to confusion. Better to have one strong

clue I shall leave all the doors open till I see what is behi

r secretl

s, in worrying and torturing them, in leading them on to hope, and then plunging them in

thinking of,

had committed suicide it is a thousand to one th

ru

sed suspicion; the state of agitation he was in would have prevented the invention of a plausible explanation. We put poison aside. A pistol he could not have possessed, because of his poverty. We put shooting aside. Hanging comes next; but if he had resorted to that means of ending

or Robson, looking at his nephe

, uncle, n

have r

e empty, and the idea of unfaithfu

of Abel Death. We left him in Samuel Boyd's house, and we decid

e aw

art disease--might have fallen down in a fit which put an end to him. Assuming this, what course would Samuel Boyd, or any sensible person, pursue? He would give information--his own safety depended upon it. A doctor's certificate as to the

t is

nse, out of the world. Can you tell me, of your own knowle

ge I cannot tell you; but I

the other way----yes, by the Lord!" he cried, as if a light had suddenly broken upon him. "Put it the other way. There was a motive for Abel Death murdering Samuel Boyd. He was poor, and in desperate need of money; his master was rich, and had refused to give it to him. The motive was robbery, by fair means or foul. If this is what occurred Abel Death's disappearance is explained. He's in hiding somewhere, or has managed to get on board a ship bound for foreign p

ll see me at the magistrate's c

home with me?" said Inspecto

quite made up

Robson looking ruefully and affectiona

, have you seen Mr

e dropped in, as usual. Him and Flo

" said Dic

Robson, gravely. "He's a

es

ermany, and to good s

ll you tha

nce to

Such wistful tenderness

," said Inspector Robson, his voice a

w she

de, and laid his hand caressingly on

shaking himself free. "I've been going to ask you onc

ion it, Dick,

Rob, or

always called him Mr. Regina

but most people have t

r words were struggling to his lips, but

n that be the reason----" He did not say the reason of what, an

PTE

GTON REVIE

is way through the white mist. His tho

istaken Aunt Rob has hit the nail straight on the head, and Uncle Rob made

at age we do not think; our hearts, our souls, are like a prism which leaps into light and colour when light and colour shine upon it. Had I been wiser I might have believed that a more enduring flower than thistledown would grow up in its place, a flower that would bloom and shed its sweetness and

or sterling qualities that are not in my nature? Who can tell? We are the sport of circumstance, and drift, and drift, and dri

pon me, I have launched into light speech and manner, as though I were incapable of deeper feeling, I have noticed the relief it gave her to learn that she was mistaken. Of one thing she may be sure. That there is no sacrifice I would hesitate to make to s

or I said to myself, 'Here is this young gentleman introducing himself simply as Mr. Reginald, when I, from my previous knowledge of him (of which he was not aware) know him to be the son of that man. What reason has he for the suppression?' There was no acquaintance between us. Happening to be in conversation one day with a constable in the neighbourhood of Catchpole Square a young gentleman passed with a flower in his coat. There was something in him that struck me as bearing a resemblance to myself, the advantage being on his side. A free and easy mann

her cheek, a shy look in her eyes. I waited for his other name. Why did it not come? Because the name of Sa

ing the place in her heart which it was my dearest wish to fill? The thought was torture; I seemed to awake from a dream. For had I spoken in time my love for her might have awakened a responsive echo in her breast. I cannot speak with certainty as to this, but it might have been.

heart. Love that was hopeless could have found no more emphatic illustration than the silence and desolation by which he was surrounded. The light of heaven had died out of the world. N

the sweet embrace, love's kiss upon your going and returning, the prattle of children's vo

elancholy thoughts that he involuntarily

TER

BEHAVED HIMSELF IN THE

rbid reflections such as these to hold p

rying for the moon? Leave that to children. Now where did I leave off? Ah--where Mr. Reginald was a regular visitor at

mean, overbearing to those in his power, fawning to those above his station from whom he hoped to obtain some advantage--such is the character of this odious man, whose son was then winning, or had won, his way into Florenc

set my wits to work to ascertain the cause, but cautious as I was, I found myself baffled at every turn. Convinced that Mr. Boyd would turn me out of the house the moment his suspicions were aroused, the task I had undertaken proved more difficult than I had anticipated. If I kept secret watch upon him he kept secret watch upon me. That he had no confidence in me is not strange, for he has no confidence

d up, but I took no notice, and went on to say that I had resolved not to stay much longer in the place--that the pay was miserable, that the kind of business done there was disreputable and execrable, and that Samuel Boyd was one of the trickiest and cunningest fellows in all London; in fact, I gave him the worst of characters, and my only excuse is that he thoroughly deserved it. 'That's another situation thrown up,' said Aunt Rob. 'Oh, Dick, Dick, a rolling stone gathers no moss.' 'Would you advise me to stop with s

e had seen it. 'Ah,' he said, without any show of passion, 'I have found you out at last, you scoundrel!' 'Scoundrel yourself,' I cried. 'Mr. Samuel Boyd, I discharge you. I've had about enough of you.' 'I've had more than enough of you,' he snarled. 'You came here to spy upon me, did you? You and your Mr. Reginald are confederates, are you, and you wormed yourself into my service in pursuance of some plot against me. I'll prosecute the pair of you for consp

ight thing is to speak first to Mr. Reginald hims

is way towards Catchpole Square without much difficulty. He had not met a soul on the road; the streets were quite deserted. "A man could almost fancy," he thought, "that he was walking thr

--let's have a look at you. I've had a large dose of shadd

ghingly said, "Well, what do you make of my face? You're cleverer than I

our shoulders don't belong to you,' I'd half believe him, I would indeed, sir. What with shadders that wouldn't give you a civil answer when you spoke to 'em, and that you could walk right through, and taking hol

TER

THE HOUSE

t a level head, too, if any member of the force has. You're

, put out--that's the right word. A man may be put out in so many ways. His wife may put him out--and she often doe

uch a night as this. The mist floats, shadows rise, and there you are. All sorts of fancies crept into my head as I walked along, and

like a b

and blood that slipped through you

ath it was a woman. I had her by t

eath. "Did she have a child with her, a

It was in Catchpole Square it

dering why she should have been so anxious to escape. "Talking of Catchpol

riday night that I saw him last. I can fix the time because a carriage pulled up at Dea

op long, do

nd again the carriage was driving away. All sorts of people deal with Sam

ost houses,

ad in a book once that every house contains a skeleton. The human mind, sir," said Constable Applebee, philo

ut Dick did not pursue it. He returned to t

yd kept a

or devil," interje

st clerk is Abel Death. You'

e had all the cares of the world on his shoulders. I didn't kno

seen him

like, as if he'd had a glass too much. That was what I thought at first, but I altered my opinion when I caught sight of his face. I

tified in revealing what had passed in the police station,

n fairness to call him respectable. From the little I know of him I should say, poor,

king of that woman you caught by the a

eep the night out, not having money enough to pay for a bed. Pond and me happened to meet on the boundary of our beats, and we strolled into the Square. I coul

her. There have been too many bad deeds committed in dark places in the dead of the night, and seeing so

ve," said Constable Applebee, contemplatively, "that she wasn't one of the regular ones. If she'd been a regular one she'd have cheeked us. No

be choosers,"

are, sir. T

along Shore Street, the constable, like a zealous of

are. They're snugly tucked up between the sheets, dr

, where, through the mist, a light could be dimly seen, "who isn't be

, the doctor; it's my belief he never sleeps. A clever gentleman, Dr. Pye, as choc

N

beyond belief. I've heard say that he's discovered the s

heard that he h

shy of that sort of thing. What they say of Dr. Pye may be true, or it mayn't, but you may make sure that he's always at his e

o without reading? How did people do without gas? How did they do without steam? How did they do without electricity? That little light burning

, with a profound shake of his he

of this conversation, "the way he went on and the words he used fairly flabbergasted me"--"Putting a supposititious case, let

ear thinkin

t asked me why I am wandering through the streets on such a night and

should be putting a par

eat credit. I will make a clean breast of it, Ap

wag, sir," said Constable A

w of a room to let in a decent house in the neighbourhood

you seri

a ju

Paradise Row, and there's a room to let in it; he mentioned it t

usness, "I judge that he would consider me an emi

ing with laughter. "Upon my word, you're the merriest ge

ir, which confirmed Constable Applebee in his belief that the young fellow was

sent, but my missis tells me"--here he dropped his voice, as though he were

morrow, and if the room is not snapped up in the meantime by another per

night,

ll he was swallowed up in the prevaili

. That notion of his of falling asleep and waking up in fifty years ain't half a

ore Street he walked to Deadman's Court, and through it into Ca

or some sign of life. "The place is as still as death itself. I'll try Mrs.

cked, and knocked vigorously again and again, and threw stones at the upper pa

t its heart, or know the reason why. But how to obtain an entrance? T

n reflection, did not see how it would have been of assist

perhaps,"

anse of cement, with not a foothold in it by which he could mount to the top. A rope with a grapnel at the end

olice station was instantly crowded with a great number of ragged little elfs, who, with misery in their faces, wailed, "What shall we do without him? What shall we do without him?" And then, in the midst of a sudden silence, Gracie's hoarse voice, saying, "You will find father, won't you?" An appeal immediately taken up by the horde of children, "You will find father, won't you? You will find father! You will find father!" The vision faded, and he saw Abel Death staggering thr

RDE

spiration. Had the word really been uttered, and by

TER

HICH CONSTABLE POND PICKE

ewspaper with a great circulation, which

the Litt

each shi

r honey a

y opening

e was responsible for a paragraph which appeared in its column

o'clock, he went out, with the intention, as he stated, of making an appeal to his employer to reinstate him. He did not return home, and from that night his wife has heard nothing of him. Mrs. Death has been several times to Catchpole Square, in the hope of obtaining some information from Mr. Boyd, but as her knocking at the door has met with no response the presumption is that that gentleman is out of town. The magistrate said he was sure the press would give publicity to her husband's disappearance, and there was no doubt, i

ng his absence to official duties elsewhere, Dick parted with Mrs. Death at the police court door, and promising to call and see her next day, he

her sleeves tucked up to her shoulder, and wiping her hands on a towel. She wore an apron with a bib, and tucked in the bib was the lady's handkerchief which Constable Pond h

ells me you have a ro

wing with delight, "and very good it is of him to recommend us. I hope you won't mind the state I

o mine," said Dick, "

show you the room if you'll

ned the door. It was a small room, but it was clean and

nt?" as

week be too much, sir

d Dick, "if you'll

's a gentleman,' he said, 'let him have it. If it's a lady she can'

nial smile, "and I'll give you a week's rent in advan

und. Dick stooped to pick it up, and his face grew white as he saw, written in marking ink in a corner, the name of

PTE

ARRANGEMENT WIT

who had noticed that he had tu

radicted himself by adding, "It must be the perfume on this

any. Some scents do have that effect upon people. There's a cousin of mine who faints de

u got this handkerchief from the

ir. Pond g

ain it from

ous, Polly,' he said, laughing, and he worked me up so that I as good as threw it in the fire. Then

outs, Mr

hings. It commenced when she was a little girl. She found a farthing that had been sanded over, and thinking it was a golden sovereign she went into a milk-shop

atiently, "is your husband in the

is, opening the street door just as we're talking of

e kind enough to come

tell her husband that she had got a lodger; and presently Constable Pond's heavier step was heard on the

ll, I am glad to see you here, sir!" His eyes fell upon the handkerchief in Dick's hand. "If I don'

ck; "and for the sake of all parties, Constable Pond, it is as

, his countenance falling at the unus

u picked it up

d you tr

ng the handkerchief at the police station, with an account of how he came by it; now did the thought of certain penalties afflict h

to know where, and when, and under what

m, I hope, sir. You won't us

u my word

f shadders when he thought he saw one. He run across and caught hold of it, but it slipped from him and was gone like a flash. He called to me and we ran after it through Deadman's Court; we couldn't see which way we were going, so we

Applebee that you

enough I am for it now. It sha'

knowing anything about it but ourselves, I don'

said Constable Pond, gainin

wife not to s

ell her

t is too late to undo what's don

," said Constabl

and if it should happen that any question is raised concerning it--of which there is

you for getting me out of t

ter receiving the latchkey and exchanging a few pleasant words

e had explained to her what had passed between him and Dick. "That young fell

d Mrs. Pond. "I know wha

ng himself with a kiss. "Well, if that don't

nd her name's Florence. He's goi

she was in Catchpole Square last night--always supposi

nted that way. In heaven's name what took her there at that hour of the night? Search his mind as he might, he could find no answer to the question. The handkerchief was hers, but there were a hundred ways of accounting for its being in the possession of another woman. Still, the longer he thought the hea

TER

FROM F

o heaven for a message to ease her bruised heart. A terrible blow had fallen upon her home, and the grief, the fear, the tortured love in her eyes, were pitiable

is she? What message has she sent? Is she safe, is she well? Why don't you sp

d him for a time of the power of speech; he could do nothing but stare at her in disma

sage from Florence. I came to see her." Involuntarily his ha

t was time you looked after yourself! Perhaps I was as unhappy as you were when you left the house. If you had be

charged with love for you and Uncle Rob and Florence. I would lay down my life for you. I see that something terr

loud as he led the sobbi

Day and night it shall be open to her if she comes back as she went away, a good and innocent girl. B

ke those? You, her mother, who have had daily proofs of her purity and goodness! My life upon her innocence--my life, my life! Though

lips. "I would not have said it, but I am torn this way and that with doubt and despair. It's the suspense, Dick,

lf--for Florence's sake, for your own and Uncle Rob's. If I am to be of any assistance--and I am here for that purpose, heart and hand--I must know what has happe

u, Dick," she said, with

I've brought upon myself and I'm going to reform and become a pattern to all young fellows who

d Aunt Rob, checking her sobs. "Let me

ng her arms round his neck in her sisterly way, and asking, in pretended anger, what he meant by looking as serious as if the world was coming to an end? He could almost hear her voice. The room was filled with little mementoes of her, dumb memorials with a living spirit in them. There was a framed picture of her on the wall, a lovely face, bright and open, brown eyes in which dwelt the spirit of truth, dark brown hair with a wilful tendency to tumble down and kiss the fair neck--(the most distracting, teasing, bewitching hair; in short, Florence's hair)--smiling mouth in which th

"Tears have done me good, Dick," she said. "It w

uch, Aunt Rob

with dry eyes in a state of distraction; he

in his ears. Prepared as he was for

Aunt Rob, covering he

aunt. Pull yourself tog

ce was changed. She seldom smiled, she neither played nor sang, her step had lost its lightness. She wouldn't let me d

aunt,

e expected a letter from Mr. Reginald. She kept in the passage a little while and I heard the rustling of paper, but she had nothing in her hand when she returned to the room. Her face was very white, and she said she had a headache, and would go to bed early. I asked her if she had received a letter, and she answered, yes, she had, and said, 'Don't ask me any questions about it, please, mother.' 'Do answer me only one,' I begged. 'Have you and Mr. Reginald quarrelled?' 'Oh, no,' she answered, and I knew she was speaking the truth, or she wouldn't have answered at all. She was very gentle and quiet, and I thought to myself, 'Oh, my dear, my dear, why don't you confide in your mother who loves the ground you tread on?' But you know what Florence is, Dick. She takes after me in a good many ways. Nothing will make me speak if I make up my mind not to, and it's the same with her. See, now, how we put our own faults into our children. So we sat at the fireside, and I felt as if there was a wall between us. She had some sewing in her lap, but not a stitch did she do. There she sat, staring into the fire. Ah, I thought, if I could see what you see I should know! Suddenly she knelt down and laid her head in my lap, and it was as much as I could do to keep back my tears. I could have cried easily, but I knew that my dear was in trouble, and that my crying would make it worse. Presently she raised her head and said, 'Mother, you love father very much.' 'With all my heart, darling,' I answered. 'And you have always loved him,' she said again, 'and wou

t of notepaper to

uite safe, and very soon--as soon as ever I can--I will let you know where I am, and what it is that took me away. It grieves me sorely to

ving and Devo

ore

ck?" asked Aunt Rob, her fi

you've done. She says she is quite safe, and will let you know soon what took her away. What more do you want to convi

d the peace and happiness of the home of which she was the pride and joy. The latest discovery, that of her flight, pointed almost to the certainty of her having been in Catchpole Square last night, and to her having dropped the handkerchief which Constable Pond had given to his wife. Thankful indeed, was Dick that the man had been guilty of a breach of duty.

hat she means when she spea

lied. "Can you give me

etters, and now and then she has read me a bit out of them, but she never gave me one to read

ng a sad want of confidence in her. A

ting high and low for Florence, and there's no knowing where he may be. He's got leave for a day's abse

attend to, and I've an idea of a

as you can, won't you?

told me. But I can't

words I said to you? Don't harbour animosity,

her more than I love you. If I were base enough to harbour animosity towa

tter. "It's from Florence--f

hat I am safe and well, and that I will write again to-morrow. When you know all I am sure you will forgive me. Never forget,

hful and affect

ore

give him my love,

Rob," said Dick. "She is safe, sh

waved his han

out with his hands in his pockets, with no work to do, and no prospect of any. To-day the hours were not long enough for the work he had to perform. As there are sluggish horses which need but the whip to make them go like steam, so there are men who cannot work wit

me second-hand shop a rope and grapnel for half the money which they would cost new, he turned down the meanest streets, where humble dealers strove to eke out a living. He passed a wardrobe shop in which male and female attire of the lowest kind was exposed for sale; a rag and bone shop, stuffed with articles fit for the dunghill, and over the door of which an Aunt Sally in a perpetual slate of strangulation was spinning round and round to the tune of a March wind; a fried fish shop through the window of which he saw a fro

's Mews, he determined--having an hour or two to spare--to go to No. 7, where poor little Gracie and her mother resi

TER

TLE WAS

ve seen, but a child--none other than little Gracie, who, with all the importance of budding washerwoman thick upon her (although, humanly speaking, her prospects of arriving at that stage of distinction appeared to be remote) was washing her brothers' and sisters' clothes. The garments were few and in woeful condition, the brothers and sisters were many, more

The youngsters were not unhappy; the ten shillings from the poor box which the benevolent magistrate had given to Mrs. Death dropped upon her like manna from heaven. On their way home she and Gracie had spent fifteen pe

they looked forward to it--how they watched for his coming--how their faces would light up when he pulled the bag out of his pocket! Brandy balls are an economical sweet; there is a magic in the very name. Brandy balls! They are hard, not to say stony, and if they are sucked fair they last a long time. Eddie once bolted one whole. He never forgot it; the taste of the physic he was made to swal

od where a festival was being held; and she dared not neglect the opportunity of earning ninepence. She left careful instructions that if father should happen t

h she pursued her task, the absence of anything in the shape of rebellion or protest that she, so young in years, should be set to it! If ever suffering mortal deserved a medal for duty done in the teeth of adverse circumstance, against odds so terrible that the coldest heart must have been moved to pity to witness it, Gracie surely had earned it. But there is no established order on earth for the bestowal of honours in such a cause. Crosses and broad ribbons and sparkling sta

f the family, and as is the case with better known low comedians when they gi

tie," they cr

d he accompanied the cough, moreover, with such an expression of woe upon his face, that the children were lost in admiration. Spurred to greater eff

e it, Gracie

, with unmoved face

y at her brother's histrionic triumph

d Bertie, at the same time returnin

said Gracie, impassively

s and rents were they that the least violence would have wrought irremediable

nt on the line, and wiping her hands and

eager expectation. Six little heads nestling close, six eager faces turned t

we must have a light, and

re. A tiny flame shot out and shone upon her face; with her black eyes and black hair she looked like a goblin beneath this fitful illumination. Then she rose and lighted a tallow candle, placing it on a deal table, which she drew close to the bed. The table was bare of covering, and presented a bald

ed as a token that, grown to womanhood and appealing to a more experienced audience, her success would be no less complete. To look at that apparently insensible face and at that coal black eye, unillumined by the fire of fancy, and to listen to that listless voice when she discoursed upon mundane affairs, no one would have imagined that it was in her power to rivet the attention, to fascinate and absorb. It is, however, just those faces which go towards the

occasionally, and condescended to use materials more modern; but even these familiar subjects were decorated with flowers of q

h she listened with sympathetic soul. Emulous of his gifts she coaxed him into giving her a few lessons, and in a short time could also paint the impossible salmon and the equally impossible sunset. One day he said, "Gracie, I am leaving this wretched country, which is not a country for artists. I bequeath to you my genius and my stock of coloured chalks. But do not deceive yourself; they will bring you only disa

young prince, with vermilion lips and cheeks, staring green eyes, and yellow hair carefully parted in the middle)--mounted on a fiery steed--(behold the fiery steed, its legs very wide apart, also with green eyes, vermilion nostrils, and a long yellow tail)--who,

hastened their steps at these sounds of distress. Mrs. Death flung the do

Death, taking her clammy hand and holdin

ry about me. There--I'm better already!" She was the first to see Dick, and she started

wondering which part of the house you lived in I heard your little girl coughing, and I followed yo

young voices piped, "Yes, she did. Ain't she clev

h; and turning anxiously to Dick, "H

ur visit to the magistrate is in the papers, and go

syrup of squills, a teaspoonful of which he administered to the child, w

said, rubbing her chest. "

Death. "I will bring another bottle in a day or two.

ou'll step into

dy balls," c

a clamour of voices f

aid Dick. "You s

ile the gentleman and I are talking. It doesn't do, sir,"--this in a low tone to Dick as he followed her into the a

you out of your trouble, and that I may be of more assistance to you than most

for the kindness you've shown. The syrup of squills has done Gr

er, if you will give

way a chance, sir. What

reason why Mr. Samuel Boy

to tell, sir. Wher

went to the office: and don't keep a

poor husband worked for him like a slave, and over and over again was kept in the office till ten and eleven o'clock at night without getting a sixpence overtime. It wasn't a bed of roses, I tell you that, sir; nothing but finding fault from morning to night, and he was always on the watch to catch my husband in some neglect of duty. On Friday afternoon, when he went out of the house on some business or other, his orders to my husband were that he was not to stir out of the office; if people knocked at the street door let them k

expected piece of informatio

r had a quarrel a long while ago, and

as not opened to Mr. Regi

my husband he had taken with him

this was new to him. "At what time did you

not to, and asked him to go away. He seemed so bent upon seeing his father--he used the word 'must,' my husband told me--that it was

e previous night at the police station, and the remark that towards the elucidation of the mystery there were many doors open. Here was another door which se

o'clock, when Mr. Boyd w

to mention to his father that he had already paid one visit to the house. You see, sir, my husband feared that he would be blamed for it, and be turned away, as th

say why he wanted

ed that the young gentleman had come down

o on,

le word of warning. My husband was dumbfounded, and asked what he was being sent away in that manner for. Then the hardhearted gentleman said he had set a trap for him; that before he left the house he had put on the stairs eight little pieces of paper with bits of wax on the top of them, so that any one treading on them would be sure to take them up on the soles of his boots; and that when he came back six of the eight pieces were gone. It was an artful trick, wasn't it, sir? My poor husband did then what he ought t

d Dick. "And that is

ll I kno

s about half-past nine when Mr. Death w

I can reme

, Mrs. Death," he said; "you may depend upon my doing my best to clear things u

me, sir, but it's a poor

the evening paper, he held out his hand to wish her good-night (with the kind thought in his mind of sending a doctor

TER

END, OF THE N

t was, and the man repeated his question,

Death in an agitated tone. "I hop

ll find it. I have come to attend to your little

doctor, sir

tor," he answere

s suffering awfully, but I am afraid ther

now where I live. In the second place, because you can't afford to pay me; but that will not matter. Why should

e gold watchchain hanging across his waistcoat. He was a portly gentleman, and when he took off his hat he exhibited a bald head, with a yellow fringe of hair round it, like a h

e coloured drawings on the table.

eath, looking anxiously at him; "s

Dear, dear, dear! A budding genius--quite a bud-d

aid Mrs. Death, wiping one with

ray accept my sympathy, my dear madam, my sym-pathy--and of the evident illness of the little girl who accompanied you, has asked me to call and see if I can do anything for you--any

me of your kind frien

eplied Dr. Vinsen. "It is

ntist," s

t. The two things are not incompatible--not incom-patible. He asked m

im, sir," said Mrs. Death,

rrow, and you may depend upon it that this special providence is watching over you, and will bri

y as a friend, to assist Mrs. Dea

inent if I inquired the name of the gentleman who evinc

own so accustomed to Dick that I sh

gh, like Miss Kilmansegg's father, he was washing them with invisible soap in imperceptible water. At this point Gracie, who had been trying with all her m

gs and chest, a proceeding which Gracie viewed with indifference and the other children

k the result would have been--but I will not distress you. Wrap yourself up, child. My dear madam, yo

Mrs. Death, with

cie. "I don't want any kettles. What's t

ltice on--your mother will see to it--and when I come again I will bring you some me

corner, and Dick he

--but still, a gratifying tribute--a gra-ti-fy-ing tri-bute." Hat in hand, he shook hands with all in the room, a ceremony attended by considerable difficulty in consequence of the shyness of the chi

ington,"

to light him down. "So kind of you, but the passages are rather dark." Those left

cited tone, "He has given me two sovereigns. God bless him! It is like a light shining upon me. I

ed for you," said Dick, "wh

and Mrs. Death met

you," she said, "but Gracie

ld blanket round her, he bent down

ed him. "You're a good sort, you are." He slipp

young 'uns," he answ

one!" she sho

u, Gracie!" h

f Gracie. Dear little mite! Almost a skeleton, and the heart of a lion. Learn a lesson from her, Dick, and m

like thee,

n why I c

now, and kno

ike thee,

ted these lines with a thoughtful face? Certainly not

TER

SIEGE AND COMMENCE

meantime. He made his way, therefore, with all expedition to his lodgings, fortifying himself on the road with a substantial meal at a cheap restaurant, and purcha

Pond had told Mrs. Applebee of her good fortune in securing so eligible a lodger, and Mrs. A

man go on so," said Mrs. Applebee. "All

say that?" inq

man to be looking for lodgings on a night like

s nice a gentleman as ever you set eyes on. I do belie

nd," said Dick, taking

hing for you,

oblige me with an empty bott

cupboard, and she b

vinegar

matter. Ma

liminary to a long chat between the ladies, first in the passage, afterwards at the street door. Then he heard the door closed, and listened to hear if his landlady locked it. No sound of this reached his ears, and shortly afterwards all was silent in the house, Mrs. Pond having retired to rest. For a reason which he could not have explained he tumbled the bedclothes about, as if they had been slept in. He did not possess a watch, and he had to judge the time

PTE

KES A D

for that officer's approach, and to remain hidden till he turned in the opposite direction. This would ensure him freedom of action for some fifteen or twenty minutes, time sufficient to enable him to mount the wall. He experienced little difficu

d at the door, and his summons, many times repeated, met with no response. Dick did all this in a leisurely manner, being prepared with an answer in case an explanation was demanded. So absolutely imperative was it that he should be convinced that the house was uninhabited before he forced an entrance that he kept in the Square fully a quarter of an hour, at the expiration of which he passed through Deadman's Court, and was once more in front

waistcoat. But Dick was not to be beaten; not only were all the latent forces of his mind in full play, but all the latent forces of his body, and though his ha

"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, I hope Humpty Dumpty won't

, fixed it tight, let the rope drop on the

yard was separated from its neighbour on either side by a wall as nigh as high as that which enclosed them all in the rear. Thus Dick found himself shut out from the world, as it

desert of Sahara is enough to give any man the blue devils, I

discovered in a corner a forked pole which at some remote period had probably been used as a clothes' prop, there would have been nothing for it but to leave it there and run t

ch looked out upon the yard, his duties confining him to the office in which the secretarial work was done. Above a door, which he tried in vain to open, was a small window which seemed less secure than the others; and when he reached up to it (standing on a rickety bench against the wall), this proved to be the case; but though

ned every moment to fall to pieces, and indeed in his violent efforts this actually happened, and he was left clinging to the window-sill by his fingers and nails; by a desperate effort he got his knees upon the sill, and tumbled or scram

anticipation of a sudden attack. Then he discovered that he had cut that hand, and that the blood on the floor was his own. In his excitement he had not felt the pain of the wound. Wrapping his handkerchief round it, and drawing a deep breath of relief, he opened a door at the end of the room, and emerged into a passage, with a staircase leading to the rooms above. Asc

n any way, and there was nothing to indicate that he was not master of the situation. It troubled him to observe that his footsteps left traces of blood b

sign of some significance, for had Samuel Boyd left his house for any length of time he would most certainly have locked the door from the outside and taken the key with him.

quare. All was silent and still. Dark clouds were scudding across the sky, with a heavy-hearted presage in them; such was

e walls and in the corners lay the strange medley of articles which gave so singular a character to the apartment. There were no signs of confusion or disturbance; everything was in order. The drawers in desk and tables were closed, the safe in its old position, and to all appearance untampered with; beneath a pa

pardon," sta

ld the wax figure of the Chinaman, in an attitude of collapse, as it had fallen i

?" muttered Dick. "Speak up like a

rchief in Catchpole Square, even--unreasonable as was the inclusion--the visit of Dr. Vinsen to the Death family--all seemed to converge to one point in this room, with its deathlike stillness, and to the strong probability of their explanation being found there. It partook more of a fancy from a madman's brain than that of a sane person, and yet Dick, candle in hand, peered in all directions

piano was placed, and Dick recollected that in his time a large screen had been there, covering the space now occupied by the back of the piano. Very cautiously and slowly he opened the door of the bedroom. Wrought to

e called aloud, "Mr. Boyd!" and trembled at the sound of his voice. "Mr. Boyd! Mr. Boyd!" he called again in louder tones, and his heated fancy

gainst the wall. Treading very gently he passed to the other side, and bending forward, with t

TER

MBER OF

candlestick the candle he had held in his hand, he turned down the sheets to ascertain how the hard master he had served--the man in whose breast had dwelt no spark of compassion for any living creature--had met his death. There was no blood on the bedclothes, no stab or bullet in the dead man's body. On his face was an expression of suffering, as of one who had died in pain, and his neck was discoloured, as t

and had made it in vain. In a paroxysm of fury he had fallen upon his master, and had strangled him. Then, searching for money and finding it, he had fled from the house and taken passage in some outgoing vessel for a foreign land. Pres

hile he was abed, and still less probable that in his sleeping attire he would open his street door to such a visitor. By no other means than through the door could Abel

nd had secreted himself until his father had retired to rest. Easy to imagine what followed: his appearance in the bedroom when his father was half asleep, his demands for money, the stern refusal and the taunting exchange of angry words, the hot blood roused, the clutching his father by the throat, the murder committed, the disposal of the limbs to make it appear that he had died a natural death, the unbolting and unchaining of the street door, and,

r peaceful, happy home; he it was who, for some sinister reason, had imposed secrecy upon her! It seemed to Dick as if he held the fate of Florence's lover in his hands. He returned the second key to its place at the head of the b

if in pursuance of this moral obligation he wrecked Florence's life, and brought upon her d

The finger of suspicion would be pointed at him, and a clever lawyer would wind around him a chain of circumstantial

ned out of the house, with the stern injunction never to enter it again. Proof would

testify to the fact. In this connection the pitiful image of little Gracie presented itself to Dick's mind, and he heard her plaintive appeal, "You

rivate latchkey. Who was to prove this? Remote as the Square was from public observation there was little doubt that Reginald had entered unseen. No witness existed, except

ld recall the visit to Samuel Boyd of a lady in her carriage. Who was the lady, and what was her business with him? This would be traced. Doubtless the lady herself would come forward. The constabl

nd confessed how he had found and concealed the handkerchief it would, in all probability, lead to his dismissal from the force. It was therefor

this visit and the murder? He argued it out. She was in communication with Reginald; since his last visit to Aunt Rob's house, nearly a fortnight ago, letters had passed between them, and there was little doubt that, without the knowledge of her parents, she had seen and conversed

d, starting to his

noticed that in his starting from his chair he had swept off the table the Japanese paperweight and the documents which had lain beneath it. Stooping to pick them up and put them in their ori

y guidance. Marc

rning. Things slip my mind sometimes. This shall not. To the police I go early in the morning. I do not consider myself safe. My son and

consequence of his misconduct and disobedience. I forbad

ence, and though Abel Death endeavoured to keep it from me, I forced the informat

It is my property. He stole it from me. If he does not get in through the front door he will find some other way. He is better acqua

at I possess would fall to him as heir at law, and I am determined he shall have not have a shilling of my m

ace that he will be a beggar all his life, and to te

on, 264

ice Reginald's doom would be sealed. There would be only one chance for him--his being able to prove that he had not visited his father's house on the night of March 1st. His bare word wo

ilence and non-appearance of Samuel Boyd himself, would be sure to direct attention to the house, not only on the part of the mystery-mongers who have a passion for such matters, but on the part of the general public. The probability was that

suspicion from the man she loved. Animated by this resolve, and with a dogged disregard of consequences, he folded the incriminating document and put it in his pocket. He made no attempt to justify himself; at all hazards he was dete

. It was easy enough to devise a train of argument which would cast such suspicion upon himself as to cause most people to believe that he was the guil

riminating documents among them--which to his relief there were not--a pause before the wax figure of the Chinaman and a weird fancy that it also had me

thoroughfare on the other side of the dead wall, and, hearing none, flung his grapnel up. It caught at the first throw, and climbing the rope he cautiously peeped over the wall to see if any wayfarers were about. No person was in sight. Detaching the grapnel he hung by his hands and dropped to the ground, thinking how foolish h

od in the middle of the road, and scampered off at his approach. A wretched man who seemed to start out of the ground cried, "Hi!" and flung a stone after it, and then, with folded arms and head sunk low on his breast, slinked off with a scowl, as though he had struck at the world for its treatment of him; two or three blear-eyed human night-birds, shivering in the grey light which, in its promise of a fair day, brought

lf dwelling upon the last words in the document he had stolen--there was no mincing the matter; he had stolen it: "Notation 2647." What could be the meaning of those words? Notation 2647--notation 2647. He repeated it dozens of times, and dreamt that the wax figure of the Chinaman was pursuing him over mountain and field, through fire and water, shouting after him, "Notation 2647!" Y

," she said. "I ho

omfortable. Did I disturb you at all last n

on the pillow. Pond says I should be a blessing

ou," he said. "I

Aunt Rob. She was expecting his arriv

for you, Dick. Have

Rob," he answered, "I though

I had a letter from Florence this

orence?"

id that Uncle Rob had gone out early in the morning to seek f

and safe, and begged them not to be anxious about her. Her dear love to darling mother and father, and to D

he is safe and well," said Dick.

she mean by her

from her own lips by

e anxious mother, "that she doe

t he did not think so. He believed he

ur letter a

n it caused him. "A private letter, aunt, from an old friend. Ha

to see you badly, but he couldn't stop at home, he'

n't catch him here, I'll

icions by running away too suddenly, so he remained with her a few minutes longer,

ticular, Dick?" she asked,

issing her. "It will be hard if we don't soon ge

er from his pocket till

will get my letter this morning, because you will have heard of my going away, and will go to mother's to get some news of me. I need your help, dear Dick. I am at 16, Park Street, Islington, first floo

fectiona

ore

TER

IE'S FEELING BY ON

nutes past ten. Ought I to go to her at once? No, I think not. Had she wanted me earlier she would have said, 'Co

seconds, five minutes, and five minutes more employed in thought and calculation. Ten minutes gone, ten minutes nearer to Florence. He came to another shop with a clock in it; it marked eight minutes past

iscerns in every face the knowledge of his guilt--turning his head over his shoulder every minute to see if he was being dogged--starting at familiar sounds, especially at the sound of bells and clocks striking the hour, every peal proclaiming to all the world that a M

er! Frightful Murder in Catchpole Square!" But no such words reached his ears. Passing the shop in which he had purchased the rope and grapnel, he was almost prepared to see the

e deluding myself presently into the belief that it was I who murdered Sam

ining room, preparing a linseed poultice for her.

eard noth

"I have come to see Gra

, and the trouble I have to put a poultice on her is beyond description; I have almost

atted it kindly, and held it in his. The faces of the other children, who were all sitting on the

tn't mind my coughing a bit. I'm ever so much better, but mother will

d, to comfort her. "

somebody? Father never did anything wrong. We'l

bed." He put her head gently on the hard pillow, and arranged the scanty coverings

ng of you all nig

said Dick to Connie, who

h of brandy balls, and a pair of boots, and four pounds of potatoes, and a pint of beer"--all represented by stones, which Dick accepted with an air of great enjoyment. "If you haven't got

hen a soft tapping was heard on the passage door. Before any one co

bed, and clutched

had met; his heavy white lids hung low, and partially veiled them; but this aspect of languor was more than counterba

and which clasped Dick's, and timed Gracie's pulse by his large gold watch, at which the children stared in awe. "Rather feverish, but an improvement. What do you say? It's nothing to worry about? Then we'll not worry ab

deed?" s

, Mrs. Death, I am happy to say. In a short time we shall have our little patient running about a

aid Dick

r ear. Have we heard f

not," rep

-there is always time; and hope--t

your head against a stone wall

roper. Let it be very hot. Our little patient makes a face. If she never has a worse trouble than a linseed poultice she is to be envied.

on't shut the door aga

--with a comprehensive wave of his hand, so as to take in the whole of the room--"is a scene fo

help them much,

-pa-thies. Be happy, children, be happy." He went through the ceremony of shaking hands with Dick

e. He bent towards her.

, Gr

before the cough commenced. It lasted a long time, but Dick, supporting her in his arms, was glad

k, without the l

and it brought a wonderful light into her sallow face. Whatever may have

TER

E AND R

our of two as Dick stood before the door of 16, Park Street. His hand was on

been running. "I saw you from the window, and ran dow

loor she stopped and kissed h

nd by the aid of the better light he saw tha

Florence?" he a

swered. "But I am in trouble

re to help you. You may

w is my dear mother--and my de

trouble about you. Uncle Rob has been hunting all over London for you. I don't wish to di

me to the heart, but I could not act in any other way. You s

ve way, F

cruel, cruel thing!--but it was my duty--my duty! Oh, Dick, if you knew what love was, you wou

sister to a brother

I was blind a year ago--what love will lead

he heart!

them? Was my heart not hardened when, at the call of love, I trod love under my feet? My prayer was that my separation would not be long, and that, when I was free to speak, the

l is well with you, if, when you are free t

ick?" she asked, he

o a sudden stop as his eyes fell upon the hand that lay at her breast. Sh

k," she said, and pre

re mar

arried,

. Regi

t is not the

d not alone that. He was overwhelmed by the thought of the damning evidence in his pocket, a virtual accusation of murder made by t

" she

is eyes wandered around the room.

n that room. Come and see

oom, and there, in bed, lay the son of Samuel Boyd,

d the pillow, and drew the counterpane over his shoulders, then stooped and kissed him. When she raised her face it was illumined. Love shone there, and a divin

nged much?

," Dick replied. "Ha

ys he will get well. If he sleeps till eight or

ith its back to the light, and each looked at the oth

ll I comme

d. "Hide nothing from me if y

is no shame in an

, Flo

im when he was away, and once or twice when we expected him and he did not come I felt unhappy. When I heard his voice I was happy again, and then I knew I loved him. One day he spoke to me, and my heart was filled with happiness when he told me he loved me. He said he feared he was wrong in speaking to me of love, for there was a secret in his life which he did not wish to disclose for a time; and he asked, if w

softly to the bedroo

he idea of your throwing up your situation, but when you asked her if she would advise you to stop with such a man she said, no, she wouldn't, and that Mr. Samuel Boyd was a rascal. I didn't think anything of it at the time except that I was sorry for you. Reginald recalled that conversation, and warned me to prepare for a disclosure that might cause me to shrink from him. He had kept his name concealed, he said, because he was ashamed of his father, who was no other than the Mr. Samuel Boyd of whom such hard words were spoken at home. He told me of his life; how durin

an honourable

me. I loved him so that I consented, and I promised, too, to keep it secret till he gave me permission to speak to mother and father. So we went one morning to a registrar's office, and were married. I wasn't absent from home more than two hours, and no one suspected the step we had taken. I can't say I was happy; keeping a secret of that kind fro

first," said Dick. "But it wa

etter. Our little home seems farther off than ever.' I cheered him up, and said there was plenty of time before us, and that I was sure there was some good luck in store for him. So things went on till a fortnight ago, when he said he was afraid he had done wrong in persuading me to a secret marriage. 'B

e purposely,

ked as if you had a suspicion of him. Bu

ow it," s

o yourself?" she asked

he answered quietly. "It wasn't

putting her hand into his with a

carry out his

from him saying he wasn't very well, and couldn't come to mother's on Sunday, and asking m

to his father's house late at night, the day after Abel Death went there in the nig

iserable I was. On Monday morning I received another short letter, in which he asked me again not t

Rob told me you went out in the afternoon i

in a doctor because he couldn't afford to pay for one. Thank God I had a little money in my purse, and I've got thirty pounds in the Post Office Savings Bank which I've given notice to take out. Reginald didn't know me, and I was in the most dreadful trouble about him. All his wandering thoughts were about me and his father, and I thought what a shocking thing it would be if he were to die without seeing him. Oh, Dick, my heart was breaking, but I wanted to do what was right, and I thought it likely, if Mr. Boyd saw Reginald in the state he was, that his heart would soften towards the poor boy. I tried to get at his wishes. Bending over him I said, 'Do you want to see your father?' I said it three or four times, and then he said, 'Yes, yes, my father, Catchpole Square. The end house in Catchpole Square. My father--my father!' I called the landlady in, and asked her if she would stop up with Reginald while I went to fetch some one he wanted to see. She consented, and I went out. It was very late when I got to the house in Catchpole Square, and I knocked and knocked without anyone answering me. 'He can't be there,' I thought, and I was creeping out of the Square when two me

ere. It will be a happiness to me to relieve their sus

, Di

as Reginald

e Sat

n in bed al

es

o into h

d the door and peeped in--"yes, he's

k to him. I've got m

llowing him as he stepped softly to the

d not have been worn since his visit to Catchpole Square on Friday night. Dick took them up, and discerned on the soles traces of the waxed paper

ked, "when Reginald

, "it must have be

g quite calmly," he said. "Did the doct

f the opiate he gave him had the des

our haste to escape from the policemen in Cat

o think of it, Dick!

our nam

en I was in the Square, but I can't be sure. It is of no consequence.

only a scratch." The exertion and haste he had made in sc

angel! Dear Dick! Reginald likes you so much! B

him very muc

of Reginald's speedy recovery, and of removing the cloud of misery she had

ember, you are to h

idea that you w

am very fond o

t in another way, he m

cousin, I u

ther, and that he wasn't to be jealous of my

ould such an idea ha

have read his heart at that moment! But he did not betray himself. "There! I am sure your hand mus

l never change,

laying together as little children! Such changes, Dick, such changes! It is almost as if w

ust go. Every moment saved is a m

ck, go

indow, and saw her standing there, looking out after him. She threw the windo

ick, stead

TER

AKES AN INTE

hat he had an idea for improving his circumstances which he intended to carry out "whatever came of it," his silence regarding his visit

ittle knows what is in store for her, and what can't be hidden much longer. But where, where is Abel Death? Is it possible that he also has been murdered? That would make things worse for Reginald. I'll search the

for Aunt Rob's house, and his knock at the door w

ws," said Dick,

cried Aunt Rob, quiv

have fou

d--oh, th

grasped Dick's hand, and in a h

-and waiting

s your hat, father," she said, almost breathles

ng his hand on her arm, "I hav

nything," she cried, st

ak," said Ins

eir daughter was so great that they had no word of reproach for her. The dear ch

ather," said Aunt Rob. "This is their

part, a silent witness of the joyful meeting. How the parents embraced and wept over their child, how she clung to them and kissed them, and entreated them to believe that her love

nd they had stepped in softly to see Reginald, who

or," said Uncle Rob. "When d

ine o'clock," she answered, and added, with

we have is yours. Mother, it is hardly likely he can be rem

get her home. I don't let her out of my sig

, striving to speak cheerful

ce, stepping to his side

ybody in my place wouldn't have done the same! I

ween eight and nine for

here," answered Dick, waving

in Samuel Boyd's house for the body of Abel Death must be made to-nig

e Rob, at ten I'll be in Catchpole Square. My mind is in a state of muddle. Let me see how the case s

his pocket he halted at a street cor

's two visits to the house, the first in the afternoon, the second late at night, hour unknown. In his haste to get away on the second occasion he drops in the passage the

. Reginald back in his lodgings, in bed, delirious. The events of the previous night being fresh in his mind, it is likely he raved about them. Qu

eats her visits to Catchpole Squar

. Death continues her vi

at he is dying, and gathering from his ravings that he wishes to see his father, she goes to Catchpole Square after midnight. She is seen by the police and drops her handkerchief, which Constable Pond picks up.

iculars of Florence's flight. I purchase rope and grapnel. I visit Mrs. Death. No news of her husband. Make the acquaintance of Dr. Vinsen. He gives Mrs. Death two pounds. Why should he be so generous? At one in t

ter from Florence. Go to her. Fetch Aunt and Uncl

me conscious that he was being observed. Looking up

-by. An effort of literature--a poem--an inspiration? I envy the literary character. So free, so untrammelled by the ordinary circumstances of our prosaic existence! It soars on the wings of imagination i

and collars, and handkerchiefs I have sent to the was

place matters. Look around. Observe the men and women who are passing us. What secrets are hidden in their breasts? In yours? In

e," said Dick, attemptin

to us to do so? Are we free agents? Are we not rather like boats on a strange sea, with hidden currents that whirl us on, and occasionall

it. I should consid

"No? Perhaps you are right not to trouble yourself. I perceive that you are not in the mood for

ffording the world a view of his bald h

r him. "Why did you raise your hat to m

et caused him to hurry in that direction to buy a paper. There was nothing in it touching the murder, and he crumpled it up and threw it into th

Robson, "things have taken a turn s

eturned Dick, and thou

said the inspector, "and we o

did I do but go to Florence when she

sn't a pleasant reflection that Reginald is the son of such a man as Samuel Boyd, but it would be hard

s, and they have heard nothing of the missing man. They

e! How's the

ll. A friend has unexpectedly turne

all that he kn

er heard of

with us, a watch ought to be kept on the house in Catchpole Square. Constable Applebee says it looks as if it was quite deserted. If it remains so a day or two longer I shall consider what is

uestion, and Dick g

ok round Catchpole S

ick, and soon afterwar

TER

TON AT TH

ve, and by midnight the nineteenth century revelry is at its full height; at which hour my Lady Wharton, deeming that she has done her society duty, ceases to receive at the top of the grand staircase, and strolls into the grounds to welcome her tardy friends. Lord Wharton, happily convalescent, but still weak, and, as some whisper, not so strong in his intellect as he might be, is in the card room, where, propped up by cushions, he is entertaining a few choice guests by dropping his guineas to them. My lady's brother, Lord

better on the Continen

and she nods assent. His conversational powers are not remarkable, so he allows her to

arton in the card

omentary interest. He does everything languidly; even when he raises his white fingers to caress his moustache, which has been the busines

" my lady

ts what he was going to say, or finds t

speak about the o

es

magine how I forgot to ask him for them when I ga

" he observed, with a

a merry laugh. "Not a business woman? I should like

" said Lo

d be. And don't

ult?" h

low! I shall be almost ashamed to as

t. St

sts a critical look around. "Our m

s her at the fountain, where, presently, she is joined by oth

nxious thought in her mind. "Why does the man not come?" she thinks. "He promised to be here faithfully, and it must be now nearly one o'clock." She consults a jewelled watch. "Yes, it is--one o'clock." The fact is, my lady is pressed for money, and she is expecting to receive a thousand pounds to-night in ready cash, half of which must go to her dressmaker in the morning. For, come what may, my lady must be dre

, who presents a card. She mo

e says. "Wher

ng to see yo

and steps into the shad

*

se in Catchpole Square, where, an hour after midnight, Dick moves in search of the body of Abel Death? The inv

for anything in the shape of incriminating evidence against Reginald, his intention being to take possession of it, and by-and-by, perhaps, destro

evil as it is, it exercises a powerful influence over him. He dreads to approach it, and it draws him to its side. He steals from the room, shuddering, and, closing the door, breathes

ot in those rooms carry a light. In the rooms with shuttered windows he risks a lighted candle, but holds it close to the floor and moves it warily from spot to spot, and shades it wi

Second. The chair is old-fashioned, too, having a grandmother's hood to it, so that the Chinaman sits, as it w

it contains. A large cupboard with folding doors is fixed to the wall, and by pressing a spring he loosens one of these doors. The cupboard is bare of shelves, and affords ample space for a man to stand upright in. There is a sliding panel at the back, about three feet from the floor, and just wide enough for a man to squeeze through. He is surprised to see that the sliding panel leads to the interior of the grand piano, which is quite hollow and contains no wire or wood-work of any kind. The open space is large enough f

g the bottles of wine stacked against another part of the wall. It is done idly, and without meaning, but he does not forget that there are seventy-six bo

can do nothing more. He has met with no traces of

ill? His absence lays him open to suspicion, but it is altogether a case of circumstantia

sion. The image of Florence presents itself, her han

the front entrance. Oppressed by the conviction that he must now wait for the course of events, and that he is pow

said the constable. "Have y

ulling himself togethe

ginning to talk about it. It's seven days now since anybody's set eyes on Mr. Boyd, and seven days since Mr. Abel Death disapp

nk you. I must be off t

night,

ired out, and when he reaches his

TER

Y BEE" GETS AHE

istic fame, for the enterprising interviewer. Things had been rather dull lately. There had been no stirring crime, no bloodthirsty deed, no sensational trial, no tremendous conflagration, no awful shipwreck, no colliery explosion, no terrible railway collision, for quite a week, and circulation was languishing. But here at last was a dish of hot spice to stir the blood, to set tongues wagging, to fire the imagination, to make the pulses glow. A murder! And such a murder! Dark, thrilling, impenetrable, inscrutable, enveloped in delicious mystery. What is one man's meat is another man's poison, and Samuel Boyd, who had never in life given a beggar a penny or the price of a meal to a starving man, was the means, in death, of filling many a platter and frothing up many a pewter pot. Trade revived. People spent more, drank more, smoked more, went to the music-halls and theatres more, for it was impossible to keep still with such an excitement in the air. See the radiant faces of the ragged street urchins as they shout it out and dispose of their sheets, and are not asked for change of a penny--see the journalistic scouts as they follow the trail, true trail, false trail, any trail--see the crowds in Fleet Street and the Strand and all the narrow thoroughfares leading riverwards--see the smart ne

all its rivals it was the first to publish the exciting news, and needless to say it made the most of its golden opportunity. The office was besieged; it was like a Jubilee Day. Men and boys fought and scramble

quotation in large type from "Macbeth." "And one cried, Murder!" Then half a column of the usual se

TER

SY BEE" ENLIGH

ive information has

le and Gha

the Bishop Street Police Court respecting the mysterious disappearance of her husband, Mr. Abel Death. It appears that this man was a clerk in the employ of Mr. Samuel Boyd, of Catchpole Square, and that on Friday evening last he was summarily discharged by his employer. He was in needy circumstances and he came home to his lodgings in a very desponding frame of mind, for the loss of his situation spelt ruin to his family. In this desperate strait he left his wife at between nine and ten o'clock on the same night, with the intention, as she state

e or to the newspapers, stating if Abel Death visited him on Friday night, and if so, at what hour he left. But Mr. Boyd made no sign. The woman said that she had been several times to the house in Catchpole Square, and had received no response to her knocking at th

e prepared to defend them. It may be objected in some quarters that he took upon himself duties which did not fall within his province. We will not at

ible T

the police did not act, probably because they had no authority to

Foul Cr

t not invested with complete authority, have disobeyed orders and

now to

ood upon a rickety bench which had apparently given way beneath him. Our reporter managed to put this together in a sufficiently firm manner to afford him a temporary foothold. Then, with an upward spring, he got his hands upon the sill, and scrambled through the window into a small unfurnished room. He did not effect this violent entrance without noise, but there were no indications that his movements had disturbed any person in the house, which was silent as the grave. His next task was to examine the rooms, all the doors of which were unlocked. He proceeded with great caution, and at length reached an apartment which, from the fact of its containing a writing table, desk, and safe, he concluded was the office in which Mr. Boyd conducted his business affairs, although, from the singular collection of articles scattered about, it might have been the shop of a dealer in miscellaneo

lling D

. Seeing the form of a human being in the bed he retreated, uncertain how to act. Then he called softly, and receiving no answer spoke in a louder tone, and still received no answe

ion. The position of the furniture did not denote that a struggle had taken place on the floor of the bedroom, and the reasonable conclusion is that Mr. Boyd had been strangled in his sleep. After the deed was done the murderer must have composed the limbs of his victim, and arranged the bedclothes over the body, in order, probably, to make it appear that Mr. Boyd

nce of Abel Death has yet to be explained. We make no comment. From this hour the matter is in the hands of the police

en made by a man's feet. Our reporter traced these dark stains from the office into the passage, and from the passage down a staircase leading to the small room which our reporter first entered through the broken window. There they end. The mystery is deepened by the

e neighbourhood of Catchpole Square has seen Mr. Boyd since last Friday evening. From Mrs. Death's evidence at the Bishop Street Police Court we gather that her husband has not been seen since that day. The presumption is that the m

y Bee' until midnight, in which further particulars wil

ER XX

TING OF

tting that her son-in-law was very weak, she insisted that he would have a greater chance of getting well in a short time if he were removed from his lodgings to their home. "It's his proper place," she sa

freezing politeness, "you won't allo

l opinions,

n't convince me." He smiled an admission of this declaration. "And look at Florence," she

e, who, next to Reginald's recovery to health, desi

and scarlatina without a doctor, and are you any the worse for it? I know as much as a good many of them by this time. There are some doctors who won't allow you to suggest a singl

moved on Saturday morning, and bore the removal well. When Flor

imes, mother," s

old love is dead, but that a new love is by its side, with new hopes, and mayhap new fears, to make up the fulness of life. The mother looks back upon her own young days, and realises now what she did not

He was not in a bright mood; dreading every minute that the murder would be discovered and made public, he felt that it wou

esn't make any difference in your room. There it is, ready for you, as it has been all through, and I shall begin to th

t wouldn't be fair to Mrs. Pond for me to run away after having been in her house only a few days.

voice, and selling copies of "The Little B

hat? Hark! 'Horrible discovery!' Merciful heavens!

e just in time to tear the last copy from the boy'

were right," said Uncle Rob

each other wi

trangled! We must keep it

re's another boy shouting it ou

e Rob holding the paper, and D

?" cried Aunt Rob, meet

Rob. "Come into the room, and shut the

returned. "Reginald is dozing, and Florence has fallen asleep in her c

es

ald's

y of horror. "I must go

're not go

aunt. I must

of impatience to g

said Uncle Rob, hurriedly. "If it comes to her ears t

, father. How horri

other as we go along." As they hastened to Bishop St

htful b

f Mr. Boyd

I won

inald. The chances are, though, that

ink so?" a

his uncle ask

hat to think. T

o show what has become of Abel Death. I'm so

ck. His uncle cast a hurried look at him. "

boy shouting the news. Run

ought two copies. The

ough," said In

o constables had been sent to Catchpole Sq

house by the front door, to scale the wall at the back. I can't say I like the way t

ue," suggested

's got more liberty than it has a right to have. I'll give you an instance. I know a man who is as mad as mad can be--a dangerous chap, with a bloodthirsty eye, carries knives, and looks at you as if he'd like to murder you. But we daren't touch him. Why? Because nobody charges him. When he sticks a knife into somebody we can lay

made no comment,

Deadman's Court is a narrow thoroughfare, and there'll be a rush of people to stare at the

er you," said the day

a few at a time were allowed to enter to stare up at the windows of Samuel Boyd's house, a constable being stationed at

urther instructions," replied th

is

. We was deta

been in

s,

d you g

wed a ladder, and Simmons mounted and

did he

just as the pa

the house the sa

oor hanging on a cord in Mr. Boyd's bedroo

from the station appeared on t

key of the

ave,

Mr. Boyd by sight, an

im out of a t

'll go in and see the body. By the way, Filey, was the

ere he is, sir; he ca

he group, and Inspector Ro

nor bolted, si

ue it this way. He gets in, he kills the man, he finds the key of the street door in the bedroom, he goes down, unchains, unbolts, and unlocks the door. He th

ond key to the street door. That information had been given exclusively to Dick by Mrs. Death in Draper's Mews; it would come out presently, of course, but he would not ut

last forty years; the majority were silent, and appeared to derive a creepy enjoyment by simply staring at the walls and windows. A journalist was jotting down everything he heard that could be incorporated into an article. Two newspaper artists were sketching, and one

artist immediately took a sketch of it, and wrote beneath, "

o much as sketches from real life in pen and pencil. We live in a melodramatic age, and must go with the times. I belong to 'The Illustrated Afternoon.' Now I call these speaking liken

as asked for his name, and it was given more willingly. The worthy constable had no objection to his feat

nquired the ar

person,"

th the portrait, "Private Person who, for Une

ought to bear upon the inspector. The industrious journalists advanced cogent reasons why they should

en," he said, "but i

the walls, the staircase, and the umbrella stand with one umbrella in it, which the eagle eye of the smarter of the artists transferred like lightning to his pad. I

ten enough, Dick," said Inspect

d the office, and both he and Constab

e anything like

ir, out o

e in hush

y, and without motive, but it gave him a surprise. "Seventy-five bottles," he thought. "I

oom, Dick?" whisp

n the dead face. In this awful presence they were dumb. Stepping v

o you say, Applebee--do y

ar to the

you,

be no dou

d. "It's a clear case, Dick. I wouldn't say so to any one but you, and we must keep our own counsel. The name of the murderer of Samuel Boyd is A

l, sir. She's half distracted,

no person must be admitted into the house. You will keep in th

good

Dick and took his hand. An infinite pity filled his

er," she said, hoarsely.

Mrs. Death, a wild terror in her eyes

pily true,"

saying? That he murdered Mr. Boyd! They lie--they l

spector Robson, very kindly. "I am truly sorry

an tell me what has become of my husband, and he's dead, you say. Who killed him? What a wicked wor

ood how great her inward suffering was by the convulsive twining of her little finger

. Death. "How dare they, how dare they accuse my poor hus

n your neighbourhood?"

sir; t

with their tongues, or they may get thems

," said Gracie, answ

poor woman has something yet worse in store for her. Then go home to Aunt Rob and Florence, and remai

word, "you're ever so good to us." A sudden tightening of her

self to Inspector Robson, "and shall be glad to offer my servic

sir?" inquired

ton, if you could discover the perpetrator of the frightful crime, and so relieve this unfortunate woman's distress. It shall be done, madam, it shall be done. Rely upon me. Let not

" sai

in. Now, my dear madam, if you wish me to admoni

to speak to 'e

eak to them. And you wo

you ple

e being a literary character." There was a faint twinkle in his sleepy eyes. "But you have no obje

pinions," interrupt

ne's natural curiosity, you kn

here will be

Mr. Inspector, I am greatly obl

in front, Dick and Gracie in the rear, at whom now and then th

him, Dick?"

e replied, "and

Gracie. "He

TER

KNIGHT OF

and her family. The kindness of the poor to the poor is proverbial, and there is much less friction in the way of social scandal among the lower classes than among those of higher rank. This was exemplified in Draper's Mews, where the Death family had long resided, and had fought lif

about with cherry ear-rings dangling in their ears, while some made teapots with fruit and stalks, and refreshed themselves with imaginary cups of the finest leaf of China. Abel Death stood by, and looking at the children thought of his own, and fingered the few loose coppers in his pocket. St

w and a growling crowd, some of whom had been defrauded in like manner, and among the crowd an inspector of weights and measures, who, backed by a constable, forthwith brought before the magistrate the cheat, the barrow (the coster wheeling it), the innocent cherries, and the scales with the piece of lead attached to the wrong balance. The moving scene, with its animated audience laughing, babbling, explaining at the heels of the principal actors in the drama, was almost as good a show as a Punch and Judy. With tears in his eyes,

younger members of the Death family when he met them, and encouraging his children to do the same. The chance came with the disappearance of Abel Death and the discovery of the murder of S

d the man, talked to him, argued with him--in vain.

coster, to Dick, "we

of the way for? Why don't 'e come 'ome? Tell me that? 'Ere, I'll wait till you've made up somethink, somethink tasty, yer know. Take yer time. Wot! Ain't got

g mindless. Some took one side, some took another, while Mrs. Deat

killed 'is master, and then laid 'ands on everythink 'e could collar,

iticians said "Hear, hear!" Dick went on. "We fight with our fists, and we don't hit a man when he's down. What we insist upon is fair play; that's what we wave our flag for--fair play. Look at Mrs. Death, a hard-working, respectable woman, that's lived among you all these years, and never done one of you an ill turn. Look at her innocent children that this great hulking brute is flinging stones at. It's cowardly, sneaking work. Oh, I'm not afraid o

sodden-faced coster accusing them, and this generous, bright-eyed, open-faced young fellow defending them. A woman who had a good recollection of the che

ather vaguely, by retorting, "I'm proud of you. You're the sort of women that have made England what it is. Wives and mothers, that's what you are." A shrill voice called out, "Not all of us, sir," amid shouts of laughter, which caused Dick to add, "Then I hope you soon will be." This happy rejoinder won him the admiring glances of all the single wom

n an amused witnes

my congratulations. Mrs. Death, take your little girl home and put her to bed, then apply a hot linseed poultice. I will call

-day, and turned

es" (which were much worse than the present) ever inspired deeper admiration in the breast of lady fair than Dic

ou did,

d enough to walk out w

m not a married man

h of scorn. "As if I don't know the

said Mrs. Death. "She says the silliest

id, "anyone else woul

" said Gracie.

rned in the direction of Aunt Rob's house

TER

S MAN OF

d gone to Australia, he had gone to America, he had never left England at all, he had taken with him an enormous sum of money which he had found in the house in Catchpole Square, he had so disguised himself that his own wife and children w

d Mrs. Applebee, who could

pector Robson saw the body h

. Pond. "It's not the firs

aid Mrs. Applebee, "that his daug

ever hea

atch. Off they went one morning, arm in arm, to the registrar's office, and she comes home half an hour afterwards,

Pond, in dismay, think

d; it never did while he was alive. It's curious that your lodger, Mr. Remington, is mixed up in it, too. He's Inspector Robson's nephew, you know; him and Miss Florence was brought up together. He's been hanging about Catchpole Square

Abel Death did it?" as

er edition. What are they calling out? Fresh discoveries! I must get a paper; that'll be the third I've bought to-day. Perhaps they've cau

Rob's mind when Dick presented himself. She

t of her life. We did all we could to keep it from Reginald, but he couldn't help seeing from our faces that there was something serious the matter. At last there was nothing for it but to tell him, and we did it as gently as we could. But the shock was dreadful; he sobbed like a little child. Then he cried that he must go to the house, and we

ce he and Uncle Rob had left her. She listened horror-struck, and when he

w what to th

an," she said, but he st

d rather see Samuel Boyd dead than alive. He had plenty of enemies, and h

ment either of you came ba

There must be no fu

ng up in bed, very

he said when they entered th

been there,

ee him? Sp

aw h

him! We

is d

bed, and turning his face to the wall. They did not disturb him--did not dare to speak. "Is it cert

here is n

angled in his sleep! Without having time to think, to pray! O

arms round his neck, her face nestled close to his, "and it ma

e moaned. "Shame, shame

in the terrible deed. Innocent or guilty, the shock of the news could have produced no other effect than was shown in the white face, the

aid Dick, "let us wait

s? Don't you hear them? Hark!" They listened, and heard nothing. It was the spiritual echo of the ominous sounds that

the house we found everything as the papers describe. Nothing seems to have been taken awa

footprints," said Reginald

them," said Dick,

y--my father's bod

on

has been br

es

low, musing tone; then, after a pause, "But the blood--the b

the fro

Dick fancied he detected signs of conf

and entered through the broken window. He found the key

o draw th

bolted, and the

," said Reginald, and sudden

uare; she had tried to force herself into the house, but the policeman kept her ba

at lay on the bed, "I was in ignorance of it. I cannot understand his disappearance; it is a mystery. The la

ly relieved at this candid confe

her finger at her lips, warned them not to speak. Removing his hand, he proceeded: "I ought to tell you now why I went to see my father. Had I been we

t me thorough

l of honour and faithfulness, and in my eyes, also, Dic

he peace and happiness of the woman

rom the domestic and business life of my father, and I understood and appreciated her reasons when I became intimately acquainted with it--as I did when, my education completed, I returned to his home in Catchpole Square. I lived with him between two and three years, and during that time his one endeavour was to induce me to share the business with him, to obey his orders, to carry out his directions, to initiate myself into a system which I detested, into practices which I abhorred. We had numberless discussions and quarrels; he argued, he stormed, he threatened, and I steadily resisted him. At length matters came to a head, and I finally convinced him that I would not go his way, but would carve out a path for myself. 'Upon what kind of foundation will you carve out this path?' he asked. 'You will want money to keep yourself in idleness till you establish a position, and are able to pay for your livelihood.' 'I have it,' I replied. 'Indeed,' he said, 'I was not aware of it. Have you some secret hoard of wealth which you have hidden from me?' 'I have my inheritance,' I said. He laughed in my face. 'Your inheritance!' he exclaimed. 'You haven't a shilling. Every penny of it, and more, has been spent upon your education and riotous living since your beautiful lady mother died.' The sneering reference to my dear mother angered me more than his statement that I was a beggar, and hot words passed between us, in the midst of which I left the room. The next day I returned to the subject, and said I had understood from my trustee that when I was twenty-one years of age I should come into a fortune of eight thousand pounds. 'He lied,' my father said. 'I have the papers and the calculations here in my safe. You can look them over if you like. I deal fair by every man, and I will deal fair by you, ungrateful as you have proved yourself to be. I could refuse to produce the papers for your private inspection, but I am honest and generous, and though all is at an end between us unless you consent to assist me in my business, I will satisfy you that your father is not a rogue. You are indebted to me a large sum of money, and I shall be happy to hear how soon you intend to pay it.' I replied that I would choose the humblest occupation rather than remain with him, and he took from his safe a mass of documents and said I must examine them in his presence. I did examine them, but could make nothing of them, the figures wer

feeling of dismay that he heard the last words, "Now you know all." Did they know all? Not a wor

ut Abel Death?" asked Re

th the murder. A strong suspicion is enterta

cted of the crime?" cried R

suspec

an innocent man--what

ertainty that he is

an any man be certain? I speak from my knowledge of his character. A drudge, working fro

hausted. Do not talk any more. Rest a little. Dick w

I know. Do all you can to avert suspicion from Abel Death. I must r

and closed his eyes. There was nothing more to be said at pr

id, "I am going to

, a

ald's interests--because his interests are Florence's now, and ours. He stands to-day in a very different position from what he did when he married Florence without our knowledge. Mr. Boyd's death is very shocking, and it will be a long time before we get over it; but after all it's not like losing one we lo

t to be do

Catchpole Square, with any amount of valuable property in it, and no

ht not

ade--which with all my heart and soul I hope wasn't? You. Even if there is a will, leaving the money away from him, he can lay claim to the fortune his mother left him, for th

d Dick, thoughtfully, "and I shall have no object

ust. Do you kno

t o

t hand side from here, there's a brass plate with 'Mr. Lamb, Solicitor,' on it. Just step round, and ask Mr. Lamb if he'll be kind enough to

woman, aunt," said Di

l these years without find

ntleman with a very small practice; and being a gentleman with

ional, Mr. Lamb,

t, and pulling the strings of his blue bag with the air of a gent

matters, and asked what

madam, he is heir at

can he enter into pos

oubt

ve his bed, can he appoin

le right to appoint a

e a paper to that effect, i

, with a professional objection to a

the house with no one to take care of it, and here is my son-in-law upstairs

t another solicitor. I will draw out such an authority as you require, a

she said, in a

r. Reginald Boyd appo

k Remington.

oman to be trifled with, even by a solicitor, accept

e consented gladly. It is to be a matter of business, mi

t out to them, not quite to Aunt Rob's satisfaction, who shook her head at

der," said Mr. Lamb, "though

the better,"

Mr. Reginald Boyd should do, madam. He sh

long job?

is very simpl

t be done i

s permission we will attend to it on Monday. To this present p

nd my nephe

is not available. Your signature will be valid

me to be nothing but going round corners and taking wrong turnings

s for the protection of the individual, mad

" she s

eble protest, "society could not exi

d, though at the words, "This is your hand and seal," she trembled visibly. Then instruction

manner in which she has rushed this business through is quite unique, and I am not sure, in the strict se

TER

CATCHPOL

e than ordinarily careful about the fastening of locks and bolts. Timid wives woke in the middle of the night, and tremblingly asked their husbands whether they did not hear somebody creeping in the passages, and many a single woman shivered in her bed. Shopkeepers standing behind their counters bristled with it; blue-aproned butchers, knife in hand, called out their "Buy, buy, buy!" with a brisk and cheery ring; crossing sweepers touched their hats smartly to their patrons, and

rket, and there was an extraordinary demand for the literature of crime, with which the vendors of second-hand books had provided themselves. Towards midnight the human tide slackened, but even during the early hours of the morning the

dress himself when the church bells rang, and go to church to pray for his sins. If he disobeyed his soul was lost, and his ghost would appear on the roof at midnight, surrounded by flames and accompanied by the Evil One. 'Did he go to church?' asked our reporter, who, in a conversation with the woman late on Sunday night, elicited this curious piece of information. 'No,' replied the woman, 'and it's a bad day's work for him. I shouldn't like to be in his shoes.' The woman furth

whatever may be the fate of Abel Death his poor family are to be commiserated. The theories and conjectures respecting the disappearance of this man are perfectly bewildering, and ma

t although the Coroner stated that the proceedings would be of a formal character, it will be seen that matters were introduced the development of which will be followed with the keenest interest. The appearance of an eminent barrister for Lord and Lady Wharton, whose names hav

TER

Y BEE'S" REPORT

ned an inquiry into the death of Mr. Samuel Boyd, of Catchpole Square, who was found dead in his hous

be adjourned till Wednesday, on which day medical and other evidence would be forthcoming. He refrained from any comment on the case, and he advised the jury to turn a deaf ear to the strange rumours and reports which were in circulation; it was of the utmost importance that they should keep an open mind, and be guid

ir return to court Mr. Finnis, Q.C., rose and stated that he appeared for

of counsel, whose assistance would be available in another court, but not in this, wh

ender material assistance to yo

cannot listen to

st important, I may say most ext

e will be received, but n

er ladyship is

, her evidence cannot be received to-day. Only formal e

nce of identificat

roner:

on's evidence bears exp

ust be tendered at

ct, Mr. Coroner, I submit t

you not to persist. I shall conduct this inq

ss called was M

e a rep

descriptive writer for

r the house in Catchpole Square af

ed by a broken window at the back of the house through which I obtained en

er, to have been a

ppear

knowledge of

what

ance into the house,

ooked into these rooms without making any discovery, until I came to one which seems to have been used as an office. There are two doors in this office, o

he rooms, and tell us w

, so far as my

right is the sl

es

el Boyd's

s of a bedroom. I stepped up to the bed, and saw it was occupied

n you mean Mr

fore identify the body. But from the fact of the house being his, and from c

mined th

throat which favoured the presumpt

is sl

t vouch

any signs of

what greatly surprised me was the

you remain i

two h

time were you

te a

ations of a robbery h

there was no appearance of their having been rifled. There is a s

our examination, wh

the Bishop Street Police Station t

after

t of what I had seen and done, which, being published, was the firs

given to you to take

entirely on my

impell

Mr. Boyd's clerk, as reported in our paper, the silence of Mr. Boyd respecting that disappearance, upon which, had he written or spoken, he could p

, Mr. Starr, at what t

I instruct the witness not to an

m at what hour in the morning he made the disco

hour in the morning di

ttle aft

ou lef

t straight to the police station, wher

nformation to give be

ffice and the bedroom, and that I traced these stains to the window at the back. I scraped off a portion of the st

stains of o

ed them off

e any blood on

what

ucted by the day inspector at the Bishop Street Police Station to enter the house for the

ere those instr

about thr

s elapsed before an

der orde

r the evidence of the reporter, he went a step farther. In the bedroom of the deceased he found the key of the street door, which he opened to admit Constable Filey,

fect. Neither of these officers was acquainted with Mr. Samuel Boyd,

aused some excitement, it being understood that hi

inspector

night duty at the Bi

ainted with Mr

en him several times, but

familiar with his feat

a

first hear o

my nephew, Mr. Richard Remington. The boys were calling out news o

tention been directed in any way to th

ice who made a statement respecting the disappearance of

he name of

to the magistrate on the following mornin

n the paper on Saturday a

bles had been sent to enter the house, for the purpose of asc

d t

Mr. Richard Remington--both of whom were acquainted with the deceased--I enter

oubt in your mi

him scores of times, and his fea

e marks on

es

ea as to the cau

to have been caused

how long he had been dead. You cannot, of course, speak with the author

that he had been

motion was caused by a lady exc

ER XX

S IN

interrupted by any of the spectators, and I must

saying. It is not in the nature of things to be silent when so mon

witness has given

in his right senses, or he

delaying the proceedings. Unless you resume you

y): "Have me removed! Is

ope so. Kindly r

"I insist upon

what will be disagreeable to you

ner's directions. At present you can be heard only through me." (Lady Wharton, who

ess--upon whom neither Lady Wharton nor I cast any imputation--whe

not reply to any question except t

n is examined, why the statement of the witness appears to her

t is the desire

our permission, Mr. Coroner, I will put it. Inspector Robson, do yo

r as a human being can b

he idea that he had be

rtainly my

m the juror): "It has been suggested to me to ask whether you

ith warmth): "I do

ich you are held. It is probable that in the course of this inquiry questions may be asked which may not seem to h

m giving my evidence a

private citizen. If you have an objection to answer the question I will not press it; but I would

terms, Mr. Coroner? I would prefer my private affairs not being imported i

then, is there any relationshi

: "He is my son-

are of this when Mrs. Abel Death repo

No, Mr. Coroner, I

e between your daughter and M

nt reluctance): "No, they ha

could you have been ignorant of the relationship when

sses in this court will be reported in the newspapers, I wish to add that no blame atta

s the only son o

r Robson

t the heir-at-law, unless h

r Robson

Has any will

son: "Not to

as search bee

son: "It is n

or: "By

y son-in-law's attorney

r: "Your

es

oner): "Will Mr. Regi

erday to his father's house in Catchpole Square to identify the body, that he has been very ill, and that the exertion was too muc

How long has

n: "Since last

owing that on which Mr.

r Robson

whether Mr. Reginald Boyd was

think it is a question I sho

ery well, Ins

dering the form of words in which he should reply. Asked if Inspector Robson was his uncle, he answered that he was proud to own it. Asked if he followed any occupation, he descr

bson when he entered the hous

d

aw the

he body of Mr

acquainted

s service nearly three m

speak with confid

rfect co

oom in which the body was found

e always s

t the only bedro

ther bedroom on t

Occupied by

ing my service wi

e time or other occupi

ginald Boyd when he

circumstances did he le

uestion that shou

it would be better to

for you t

ou were in the

es

you are searchi

es

ve foun

on

ut to Inspector Robson. When you saw the body did you receive a

been dead four or f

"They are star

if she persists in these interruptions

e radius of his beat, and not a week passed without his seeing Mr. Samuel Boyd two or three times. He was p

cious persons about on

ship exclaimed, "Gracious Powers! I am in a hornet's nest! Does the man suspect me?" It was with difficulty that she was calmed

Boyd on the night of the 1st upon a matter of

ons, Mr. Finnis." (To the witness.) "On any subseque

Pond, whose beat joins mine. We were close by Catchpole Square, and we went into it. As we were moving away I saw a woman trying to steal f

u see h

as too qui

me did this

ctly, but it was

people to be in t

e unu

ll you can

pt----" Here the

ept

it come into my mind that two nights last wee

ons. What is there special i

o or three o'clock in the morni

case of this description is worth mentioni

t time we had a lo

at brought him

he was looking

or three in

t is what

oke; he can hardly

Mr. Remington woul

the body of the Court): "I

e Applebee): "We have no

Remington

e last witness said in

ht know of a place to suit me. In point of fact he did know, and it was upon his introduction that I took a room next day in the house of Constable Pond in Paradise Row. You might like to hear why I went in the direction of Catchpole Square on the night of the fog. Well, I was in the Bishop

"Thank you, M

d at the way it was done, and made it an excuse for beating her down to the last farthing. She did no cooking for him; he took his dinner at some cheap eating house, and prepared his own breakfast and tea. "He'd skin a flint," the witness remarked. The value of Mrs. Jewel's evidence lay in her intimate familiarity with the personal appearance of the deceased. She swore positively to the body, and laughed at the idea of h

eased during the time his son, Mr.

se I did, and Mr. Re

good terms wit

ginald. He stormed a lot, but Mr. Reginald was very quiet, and hardl

inquiry was adjourned till Wednesday, when, the Coroner

TER

RING

ed out, with a judicial weight on their brows, and the man who had put and prompted so many questions gave Dick a searching look as he passed. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Remington," said a cheery interviewer, "I belong to 'The Hourly Inquirer,' and if you would give me a few minutes----" "No time for interviewing--nothing to say," interrupted Dick, and hurri

ight touch upon his arm; looki

he said; "he is very

eplied. "People are stari

been don

one part true, and three parts fiction." He spoke with a light air to relieve her mind. "Reporters make the most of everything; it is the

mentioned?" asked

o do. Don't look distressed; a straightforward explanati

N

nt

s no harm in

hatever

ing of it. There has been

fortunate matter Uncle Rob is very delicately and peculiarly placed; he is n

, Di

trouble. I am afraid you will read many unpleasant thing in the papers, and I want you t

wil

u went. I will be there in an hour or so. And don't for one moment lose heart. There are

again, "There's trouble coming, there's trouble coming." He feared he knew not what; every hidden danger seemed to grow, and the dark

ht, "or some person has been twice in the house since I forced an entrance into it." Wildly improbable as was the suggestion he found it impossible to reject it. True, he was not the only person who had been there these last two days. Scotland Yard was astir, and had sent detectives and policemen, to whom free access was grant

d they followed him upstairs with the coffin. It had been a gruesome task, and he fel

ll the documents of value and of all the record books belonging to the dead man--bank book, bill book, ledger, mortgage deeds, und

k around also took his departure. As he pulled the street door behind him h

k," she said, clinging to him. "

ed, in sudden expectation that she

u didn't come to

, Gracie. Are y

ound her large black eyes did not confirm the stateme

, Gr

at murdered

knows when

im," said Gracie, slo

hat they're saying of father. Dick, if I was a man I'd t

ther to

and goes down to the Mews, and when she thinks nobody sees her she cries and

tremor in her voice. The passion which agitated her was expressed only in the cl

e could, and there was a mob of people after him. I kept 'em back. 'If you dare,'

life, Gracie, dreams

reeping up and down the stairs, looking for the murderer. 'You didn't do it, father?' I said. He swore a big oath that he

ly a dream

can see him now. I've promised to ca

Aunt Rob's house,

now, Gracie. My

over, will you? You'

I will

ped and kissed her and she w

TER

ON STARTLE

ed as the limited space at the disposal of the Coroner would permit. The first day's proceedings had whetted curiosity, and many members of the aristocracy were present to hear the evidence which Lady Wharton was to give, the nature of which had been kept a profound secret. The le

age, and this was occupied by Dick and the poor charwoman who had been fitfully employed domestically by the deceased. The newspapers devoted columns to descriptions of the funeral and to those pictorial sketches of personages and incidents which have become almost a c

end our pi-ty. The grave, like charity, covereth a multitude of sins. We will be clement; we will soften our judgment; it is the least we

half angrily; the voice,

ty, of charity--sweet

id Dick, pointing to the grave, "a cra

r. Vinsen, shaking his head remons

what?" dem

ng, that you have much to

nigmas," said D

y, "not in anger, my dear young friend

s," said Dick, cynically

rivilege. In lif

it very much t

e laid his hand upon the shoulder of Mrs.

e platitudes," sai

a pitying smile. "I fear I do

plainly, y

commendable. But gi

have a scientis

Pye?

there are certain chemi

ed to be tol

en, we don't mix; and

us if we were in our graves." There was no change in his voice; it was mild, benignant, reproachful. "

before Gracie had taken

Coroner took his place, and address

public press may or may not have a foundation of fact, but with these statements we have nothing to do, and I beg you to dismiss them. You are here to give your verdict in accordance with the evidence which will be presented to you, and not in accordance with unauthori

obson was t

you wish to make, Inspector Robso

onsider it my duty to make public. Constable Applebee, in his evidence on that day, mentioned that on the night of the 5th, when he was in Catchpole Square, he saw a woman there whom

fact when Constable Apple

t had been mentioned in court, informed me that it was she

eason why she did not i

of importance she would h

rom her own lips the reason o

e i

er be

tween Reginald and her mother, who gave h

n upon you to state why you went to Catchpole Square at such an hour on such

l answer any que

visit where were y

rk Street, Islington. He was ve

d you for h

my duty to make him acquainted with his son's dangerous condition. There was no one else

rt in Monday's proceedings): "When he spoke

hink the witness should

aid, 'My father, my father!' and I gathered from that that h

rrived at Catchpole Square, and kn

, very dimly, two men very close to me. I did not know they were policemen, and one of them called out to me to stop,

t time that your husband was no

u need not answe

my hope that his illness would lead to a reconciliation between them. I thank God that my husband is spared to me

Boyd; that is all

h the court as Florence returne

member of the Royal College of Surgeons

the body of

read of the discovery of the body in the newspapers, and, anticipating an inquest, I called fi

ased die a na

is death by s

doubt upon

he sli

t have stran

on of the body th

rrant you in saying that there was re

very indication of a violent

tate of the bed and be

singular care must have been taken to com

during the struggle, the deceased

e was a bruise upon the shin of the right leg, another on the head, and another on the right shoulder. These must have been caused by t

ody such as might have been c

N

sufficiently heavy character to cause

he awoke, that in the course of the struggle he succeeded in getting out of bed, and dragged, or was dragged by his

the deceased could have called

ity of the vocal chords must have been considerably weakened. Even had he succeeded in releasing himself for a few m

the l0th. Can you state with some degree of precisio

een dead at lea

s back to Sun

e that he died the day

ng with some severity in that direction, her ladyship, who had risen to her feet, obeyed the injunction of her counsel not to speak. She sank back in her

it that he died either on the night of Friday, the

on one of t

tely ce

tely ce

evidence of Dr. Rowbottom, and agreed with the conclusions at which he had arrived. They spoke positively to the fact that the dec

ladyship, he said, had evidence of an extraordinary nature to give which would throw an entirely new light upon the

nt in Scotland Yard is present, and we will hear him first. He has duties elsewhere, and is anxious to be relieved from a longer attendanc

in association with many celebrated crimi

ective in offi

a

house of the decease

st on Sunday, the second on

u find in ch

e me every facility for a thoro

teps you took, a

the marks of a man's footsteps, with stains of blood which had been trodden upon. In three p

e the pho

es

sed the photogr

nclusion that they are

n, and the size, No. 8, is a

marks of oth

on

teps have been mad

defined arch in his soles. Here are photographs of the soles of dece

duced, and examined by t

the adjoining office you proceede

I will first finish

ell. Pr

ks are still discernible, and the tapestry has not returned to its original folds. This indicates that, during a struggle, one of the

t scra

he last two or

t there was a struggle between

sitive t

n addition to the defined blood stains of

of blood-smears, such as would have been caused by the naked feet of the deceased, proves tha

e or a

here would have been blood-stains on the naked feet of the deceased. There were none. Examining farther I discovered a bullet in the wall, which I extracted, and which

ay. Did you not

Remington whether he ha

her the shot was fired by th

nnot

e only bulle

o other parts of the house. On the stairs leading from the street door to the bedro

ne the back of

for a considerable time, was a window which had been

conclusion that the window

nd by the broken pieces remaining in the panes, the ja

son for saying that the hand tha

tools which would have enabled him to cut the g

dopted these rougher means for t

ceived confirmation of the theory I had formed. The man had brought with him a rope to which a grapnel was attached. This rope he had thrown up from the outside until the grapnel caught in the mortar at the top o

n that there was m

I have forme

st have take

treet on which the dead wall abuts is but little frequented. The mo

bery was the object of t

fair pres

the clothes of

gh the pockets before I came, and

d previous questions:

e gold and silver, ￡9 18s. in all. I opened the safe; there were no articles of value in it. If there had b

o burglars'

on

ls of an

N

oom adjoining the bedroom. Did any of

N

ions to ask you, Mr. Lam

had played a principal part, and her excited comments upon a vital point in th

mportance to make to the jury, and we are now prepared to hear

hom do you mean

to answer questions, Lady

k them. I want to know who

Boyd, of course. You we

ich did not come to my knowledge till a week or two before that date. Some settlement had to be made respecting these transactions, and Lord Wharton being ill, I undertook the business, having also a little business of my own to do with

ur was this

other, Lord Fairfax. In return for these bills I should have received bills not then due. It slipped my mind at the time, and I wrote to him abou

u received a letter from the deceased on a

. Samuel Boyd on the 6th of March, and

at this statement that it was two or t

in the teeth of the medical evidence that Mr. Samuel Boyd

. Samuel Boyd was alive last Thursday night, and

urely, surely,

ell you I saw the man last Thursday night, and had a conversation with him; and as his body has not been found, Mr. Sam

TER

UATION OF

closures. The only crumb of comfort Reginald received was expressed in the close clasp of Florence's hand. Fearlessly and indignantly the young girl faced the eyes that were directed towards her and her husband; her cheeks were flushed, her lips parted, as though crying shame upon those who seemed to be mutely accusing the man she loved. Dick looked contemptuously upon these silent accusers, and Au

d not meet his death at the time mentioned is proved by the fact that Lady Wharton saw and conversed with him five or six days afterwards. Her testimony is supported by that of her brother, Lord Fairfax, who is now in Court, and who also saw and conversed with him. As you may gather from her evidence we go farther than that; we say that Mr. Samuel Boyd has not been murdered. Her ladyship, as you will presently learn, has had, unfortunately for herself, some business transactio

peratively necessary that a full disclosure be made of all that has passe

would bring the sum to me there on Thursday night--last Thursday, you know--in bank notes. With that understanding I left him. Two days afterwards it was brought to my recollection that Mr. Boyd had not returned the old bills, and I wrote to him about them. At the same time I mentioned that I needed a much larger sum for my private personal use than we had arranged for, and I requested him to bring ￡1,500, promising to give him further security in the shape of additional jewels, for there is only one way of dealing with these Shylocks: they must have their pound of flesh. He replied that he would bring the money and the old bills on Thursday night. We were giving a ball on that night, and as I did not wish such a person to mix with our guests I decided to finish the business with him in a retired part of the grounds, and I instructed my servants to that effect. He had the assurance not to present himself till one in the morning, when a servant brought me his card. I went to the spot I had appointed, and there I saw Mr. Samuel Boyd. I asked him

ady Wharton, and is in direct conflict w

t conflict with the facts of the case. In all my life I have n

self be labouring

at once that I am no

e been deceived by an accidental likeness to Mr.

no possibility of my having been mista

eep a copy of the lette

abit of keeping copies of my let

letter you rec

rought it

he letter to the Coro

with the bills which he forgot to return last Friday evening, and with the additional advance her ladyship requires. Mr. Boyd hopes t

uare, N., 5th

at the time the man wrote that letter he had been

Mr. Boyd's handwriting, and this letter will be submitted to them. H

e it

identify

m, if they are fort

ent, Lady Wharton. If Lord Fairfax is

g from the body of the

rton of the visit of a person last Thursday n

te t

w that

es

any dealings w

to sa

not acquaint

he ple

nnot say it

yship presented him. She said, 'Mr. Samue

versed w

ith me. Fifty w

subject of the

every fellow wanted it. Said he wou

returned did you

ls. Saw him give her packet. Saw her d

use, and was present whe

aper. Inferna

tion given t

Went to Mr. Finnis Saturday. Then, surprising re

you know, L

I k

ald Boyd I wish to ask Mr. Richard Remington a quest

house in Catchpole Square. He must also have a talent for disguise to have so imposed upon Lady Wharton. He could think of but one person who had the knowledge requisite to carry out the deception--Abel Death. But to do what Lady Wharton had described needed courage, coolness, skill, and an evenly balanced brain; none but a master of resource, and one who had perfect command over himself, could have brought to a successful issue a task so difficult. Dick could hardly believe that Abel Death was equal to a man[oe]uvre so daring, a scheme so full of peril, in which a single false step would bring destruction upon him. Dick felt as if every hour added a new mystery to those that lay

nd when he submitted himself fo

d on Monday, have you continued your

ly searched every room, ev

found an

on

ls of ac

on

g of an

thi

Wharton on Thursday night in Bournemouth. Do you recogni

thirty or forty similar cards i

familiar with Mr. B

ut that is some time ago. I may

letter received by Lady Wharton on the 6th o

ing because on the 5th

the questions put to you. Should you say

muel Boyd only a few hours before he was murdered, the production of which would have caused Reginald's instant arrest. The writing on the letter was like

xhausted his questions, and Dick was abou

found a pistol of a

d the Juror, a sallow-faced, pock-marked man, with an aggr

ently fired bullet which he extracted from the wall of the office. How

s not asked. In the second place, becau

rt at this, and the juror

"When was the

"Yeste

ice before the detective

ning the wall together when I said, 'What is this

"Call Mr. R

the young wife, whose heart was throbbing violently. Reginald was very pale, and traces of the

been ill, and probably

ou, Mr. Coroner, I

ent to your father's house in Catchpole

nt there o

aw the

es

dentif

as my fath

cting evidence that has bee

all my heart and soul that

wish to hear all the evidence it is in your power to give, but I consider it

decline to answer. I am a willing

last see your

y the 1st

you in the habit of vi

him for two years. I regret to s

the cause of the disa

ot have that at this

that he will decline to answer, and the inquiry will be i

willing to ans

time you saw your father alive was on Friday the 1st of March.

ts to the house, the first in the

you obtain admittanc

est you not to make these frequent inter

ect, sir, it is the jury who

nder my guidanc

up knotty points, but you cannot dictate to us. Otherwise you might as well hold th

id you obtain admission into your father's

ee times, and receiving no answer, admitted mys

Coroner, I had an objec

d you become possess

ed in Catchpole Square with my father.

rself in, what

of seeing my father. He was not at home. The onl

ally acquainted

es

endly terms

es

open the stree

not to admit anyone duri

the door to see who it w

as ordered not to st

ther a very

y st

when you paid the visit, apart fr

ee had given me to understand that when I was of age I should come into possession of ￡8,000. I spent my youth and early manhood abroad, and when I returned home my trustee was dead,

or: "Qu

m, and the consequence of our disagreement was that there w

unta

inheritance. Greatly to my surprise he informed me that all the money had been spent upon me during and

t statement of accounts been fo

counts has been fou

you

ly desire to anticipate questions wh

te right. It wi

night. I paid my second visit at about ten o'clock, which I thought was the best time to find my father alone. I knocked at the door, and he came down and asked who was there. He recognised my voice when I answered him, and he refused to admit me. I told him from without that I was determined to see him, if not that night, the next day or night, and if not then, that I would continue my efforts until I succeeded. Upon that he unlocked and unbolted the door, and I entered and followed him upstairs into the office, where I explained the motive for my visit. I informed him that I was married, and that it was necessary I should provide for my wife. We were together half an hour or so, and he refused to assist

much of it is not pertinent to the inquiry. You say

ut that

house before e

y before

your father

te a

for admission while

on

person except your

my kno

accompany you to

t think

u say with

I have endeavoured in vain to recall every incident and word, and it has occurred to me that the fever from which I immediately afterwards suffered, and which kep

d not need the key to op

d it. I can only tell

the latc

have lo

he

ot know

searched

ithout

her on that Friday did you come into

N

in Catchpole Square

t see him, and had no c

rds passed between y

afra

tening

on my

ry pause.) "I do not

ng an action against me for a balance of ￡1,20

he correctness

ly I dis

use your fat

er: "Orde

on was not

g these last two years you have b

Mr. Reginald. Reginald

introduced yourself to the

uced to them

you were the son

did

id not inf

e--not, indeed, t

s quite

es

m us why you suppressed the name

ssing me rat

ee. Many of these questio

relations existing between Mr. Samuel Boyd and his only child. Putting aside Lady Wharton's statements and impress

rson or persons must have seen him

st person who has given

ald:

out letters of

es

are the only person who has benef

be put to the witness, who has given his evidence very fa

t made a will. My impression was that he had made one, disinheriting me.

ely. There has been plenty

ting the bullet in the wall. Is it within your k

a loaded pistol. It was a Colt's revolver. I do not know w

her ever fire

to my kn

y were you

y. I was living alone in Park Street, Islington, and I had intervals of consciousness during which I wrote from time to time to my wife, who was living with her parents. Eventually she came to nurse me, and then the secret of our marriage was at an end. She has related how, bei

you on Thu

from Saturday to Saturday

n speaking of her, made a strong impression upon the spectators a

evidence of importance to tender which he thinks we ought to hear with as little delay as possible. This

ER XX

MAKES A

the other spectators, but mingled with this curiosity was an element of alarm. Dark forebodings crossed his mind; he feared he knew not what, but still he smiled confidently at Florence when

n steady light, giving one the impression that the pupils might be of steel, which was indeed their colour, his mouth with its thin long lips compressed, his hands long and nervous, his voice

. Boyd's street door. It was gradually opened, and the form of a man emerged from the house. The night was dark, and what I saw was necessarily dim and uncertain in my sight, but it appeared to me that the man, halting on the threshold, lingered in the attitude of a person who wished to escape observation. This impression impelled me to a closer scrutiny of the man's movements. I have in my room a device of my own construction in the shape of a small box containing a coil of magnesium wire. By withdrawing the curtain from a glass globe set in this box, and by pressing a spring, I can, upon lighting the wire, throw a powerful light upon objects at a great distance, remaining myself in darkness. There appeared to me to be something so suspicious in the shadowy movements of the person at Mr. Boyd's door at such an hour that I brought my box to the window, and threw the

t you had a clear view of the man's

r, the man was a

h of Mr. Samuel Boyd and the disappearance of a clerk in his

ever saw

ainted with Mr

slig

an again, could y

hink

n Catchpole Square leaving Mr. Boyd

lness of the incident tha

the spectators, following his, were now fixed upon the group. A wave of magnetism passed through the Court, and, to a more or less degree, affected the nerves of every one present. Aunt

ery strang

u refer?" aske

bears a singular resemblance to the man I saw leaving Mr. Samu

ck gently pulled Reginald down to his seat. "It is easily disproved," he said, in a low tone. "You were home and in bed before midni

e gentleman you are pointing

t know. I say he r

you s

I saw the man his likeness to this gentleman is very striking; but I would impress upon you that great wrongs have been committed by accidental likenesses, and there are cases on record in which men have been condemned to death, the proof of their innocence coming too late to save them." Florence shuddered and closed her eyes

hat is fiction.

to ask I shall be glad to retire. The atm

r questions to put, Dr. Pye retired, and the

ER XX

MYSTERY SEEMS IMPENETRABLE, BUT

transpired, thirsted for more. Those whose fate seemed to hang upon the result of the inquiry exchanged but few words on the way. Dick was plunged in thought, and Florence clung

atal Friday night, and did not leave them again. This proof would not only clear him of the suspicion which naturally attached to him through Dr. Pye's evidence, but would clear

ad given evidence about the finding of the bullet. Telling his people to go into the house, and saying he would join them presently, he crossed

asked Inspe

rtl

g new st

hing

h," said Inspector Robson,

rubbed his chi

, "you and I have been friends this many a year,

obson?" said the detective. "When

iedly, "but you see the close personal interest I have in

him when there was anything unusually grave in his mind

d, "could any man in the world ha

on't go farther than that, so don't press me. It isn't often that a case so full of mystery crops up, and there'll be a lot of credit for the man who manages to get to the heart of it. It's somethin

one?" asked Inspect

Boyd's name. The other half 'll wag their heads at mention of Mr. Abel Death's name. I'd give a lot to lay hands on that chap. He's the second party in the case. That's a queer story Lady Wharton told, and of course a true

law," said Inspector Robson. "There are three or four w

l say collusion, conspiracy. We're

obliged to y

g only on what took place in Bournemouth last Thursday night; it hangs quite as much upon what took place in Catchpole Square the Friday before. A man is accountable for his actions, and

ses, he finds it out of his power to explain, and which, in the nature of the circumsta

s to be satisfied. 'Guilty or not guilty?' says the law. 'Not guilty,' says the man. Does the law accept it? No. It proceeds to open the case. Robson,

ord that he'll not run away. Perhaps, if any decided step is resolved upon you will give me timely notice, for old friendship's sake, in return for my promise that you

de his emotion. Lambert p

it, Robson. Cheer up. Things mayn't

to the detective from the window, and had been so successful in instilling courage into Florence and Regin

ade up our minds not to mope and mourn because a bit of trouble seems to be coming on

, "that's the right spirit to s

said Aunt Rob, "w

d. "I can bear anything rather

f his ways were not our ways, we're the better for it, and while he lived he was the worse for it. You were right in refusing to take up his business, right in

ainst one that's gone to where I hope he'll be f

u, mother," s

love with our dear Florenc

ad as glad can be that you gave your evidence as you did to-day, and made a clean breast of it. You spoke the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,

any charge is brought against

e been thirty years in the service, and you ought by this time to be pretty wel

"What one has to consider in reckoning up a witness is the effect he produces up

ould it be w

eve every wo

hink, Dick?" a

ust him," D

your r

Haven'

hen, Dick," s

ou never seen a man you disliked, wi

ened more

him out afterwards

s happen

stinct, you s

though she had not made up her mind, "is the way he sto

o want," said

he resemblance to the man he saw. Do you know anyone, Dick, that a

ne, a

Abel

it like

hat is he keeping out of the way for? Di

t is keen upon it. It would make h

as I'm not going to speak of just now; you would think me mad if I were to tell you wha

n," observed Uncle Rob. "The m

dozen,"

for all the use he is. Coming back to the evidence that was given in Court to-day, might not the man who presented himself to Lady Wharton as your fathe

ing forward, and catching Reg

Rob, in a tone of stern decision. "Take him up to bed, Florence, a

xed his strength, and the ca

inald were gone. "If I'm not back before nine o'c

to Reginald's old lodgings in Park Street to speak to the landlady. So much depended upon proof being forthcoming that Regin

his gloomy forebodings, he could not resist a smile as he pondered upon it. "It's a game that two can play at," he muttered, "and my short experience on the stage ought to carry me successfully through.

le to impart something new relating to a mystery with which, through the fact of the son of Samuel Boyd being her lodger, she was indirectly connected. Mrs

nkwich? I've been readin' about it in the papers, but wot I say is, if it wo

like him?"

at sech things is allowed. If a portrait it is, a portrait it ought to be. Actions 'ave been brought for less.' 'Wot you say, Mrs

to much more to the same effect, and t

, "whether you recollect what o

e hem of her apron, "there's them as 'as cause to reme

ng?" h

h, sir, and Mr

s gone by; he's p

come to. But Mr. Abel Death ain't past remembering, and wot

that has yet to be settle

.' 'Mrs. Weevil,' he ses, 'I can't give you a reference, but I can give you a month in advance.' Wot gentleman could say more? A month in advance 'e paid, from first to last, and never a word between us when I give 'im the book on Monday mornin'--puncchual, because 'e said 'e liked to be. Whe

rs. Weevil

reads of the subject. "I wish you to tell me at

at his door,' I ses, 'to see if 'e wanted anythink, but he didn't answer, and I jest peeped in to make sure 'e was out. Which he wos.' 'Oh,' ses they, 'did 'e keep 'is door unlocked?' 'Yes, 'e did,' I ses, 'and everything else as well. 'E wos always as open as open can be. I wish all wos like 'im, but that can't be egspected, because i

y, "whether, after you were in bed you d

man be spied upon when 'e pays 'is rent reg'lar? Mr. Reginald 'ad 'is own street door key, an

Dick, greatly disheartened. "Perhaps

, sir, and you can

es she didn't; she generally didn't, and if she did she did not know what time it was. She did not recollect when Friday night was, she could not think so far back as the week before last. All she knew was that it wasn't her night out, and if the gentleman kept talking to her all day long how cou

isappointment. Mrs. Death opened the door for him, and he saw a change in her.

d, looking around without se

e, "and I don't know where she is. I haven't had misfortune

e gathering in her eyes, and Dick

!" he exclaimed. "No, no. I

torted, "till you s

id, sadly. "I have not seen Gracie. I came to ask ho

their mother's loud voice, began to cry. They were all huddled together on the floor, and had looked up eagerly when Dick entered. "If you're not quiet I

n explanation, Dick accompanied her to the adjoining room. Night was comi

ne. "Whatever you may think of me now, think of me f

ick, Gracie?' he said. 'Yes,' she answered, 'always of Dick.' 'Never of me?' he asked, and no one in the world could have spoken more kindly. 'Oh, yes,' she said, 'I think of you a lot, but in another way.' 'Now, tell me, child,' he said, 'what you think of me?' 'You'd best not ask,' she answered, and ran away. When we were alone I asked her what she meant by behaving so to our best friend. I will not tell you what her reply was; I was shocked and grieved that a

eve not. She will come back presently. But there is

him, and looked fie

yd?" she said, in a hissi

od I could!"

that the children in the next room should not hear. "But though we don't know, we

ortune so undeserved, of suffering so keen, ho

hip. Oh, Mr. Remington," she said, with a remorseful sob, and her changeful moods showed how her heart was torn, "I would not have believed it of you. You make us trust you, you make us love you, and then you turn against us. See here!" She pulled up the sleeve of her gown, and

nst me. I have done you no wrong, no injustice. I think I know who has instilled these thoughts into yo

hat he has said to me he would sa

not," s

erous to us; if it had not been for

it," said Dick, with set teeth. "Has it not crossed

espite the warmth of her champion

that those who are your f

ak as

ich have been put into your head, heaven knows fo

. Remington? Who is more deeply interested in the death of Mr. Samuel Boyd, who is more directly connected with

e told

, violently. "You come to seek i

admitted

on upon him, if the poor dear is alive, and so

y. No need to ask the source

Go into that house and arrest the murderer of Mr. Samuel Boyd?' Oh, I know, I know! But we do not fear the truth, an

hat no good would result from prolonging his visit. "May there come

, "and he does not work without a purpose. What motive can he have in fixing suspicion upon me and Reginald, what motive in taking so deep an interest in Mrs. Death? The mystery seems impenet

ic

e here. Your mother is terribly anxio

been looking for you everywhere. I've got so

ection he had been taking,

TER

AKES A D

appertaining to it claimed first place. Except that her breath was short there were no symptoms of excitement in Gracie,

we go alon

ed, "you must se

, then. We must not

ted to the proceedings in the Coroner's Court, in consequence of which there had been intervals during this day when the Square was bare of sight-seers. The two or three idl

, what is it

e side of the next house to Samuel Boyd's, and repl

d their gaze, to see him still staring at them when they looked at him again, made

e house," she said, w

. I don't care ab

in," she

g to the door. "Is anybody inside now? A

ul when I was in the plac

d the door

l be coming and interrupting us. I'll show you all

chance of being overheard, he unlocked the

happened within these walls is eerie

ightened a

ile I go and get a light. The ca

You do like me a litt

're the queerest and bravest

y reached the office, and he

are we,

wered gently, "In the office w

Dick, what do you see w

rkn

more th

ow?" he asked, still g

ooks so white and thin, and he's hol

are at last." He struck a

ing to. Now he's gone. No, no! He's

ed chair in which the wax figu

catching her by the arm. "That

om her lips. She twisted herself out of Dick's grasp, and ran to the chair. She

re," said Dick, endeavo

estly at the d

been her

ong time, I

when Mr. Boyd

es

ld only sp

he onl

bedroom door. "

uldn't go

ied; and if his ghost is th

though in search of a clue to her father's fate. She evinced a dis

ow did you get

you. Come d

ment, in addition to the kitchen, all in a state of ruin. He was filled with wonder when Gracie informed him that ther

r, Dick. There it is,

chair, and, kneeling, lifted the trap doo

me after me." It was done as she directed, and he found himself in a d

hrough that

the two houses. Dick looked

ou see h

u are a

do things th

believe," replied

hings that

they

d out where poor father is. I a

ing house; she pushed another, and that fell; another, and that fell. A rat scampered past, and gave Dick a shock. Grac

" he cried excitedly

and in a few moments he had made a hole large enough for a

e'd best put up the bric

ve been a detect

the bricks, which she did very carefully, even fixing the loose mortar about them. The work was done so neatly tha

s as artful as they make 'em. Do you thi

e dust from his clothes. "The puzzle is what he wanted in an empty h

is

kitchen entrance for tradesmen. A little rusty gate at the top opened into the Square. Only two of the houses had an entrance of a similar description, and Dick inwardly railed at his own lack of foresight in overlooking this means of ge

I crept down. It was all a job to push the door open, but I did, and there I was, without anybody seeing me. Then I tried to get into the backyard, but couldn't. I knew there was only a wall between me and the next house, and I thought of the way prisoners make their escape from prison. Th

the dark al

atter. I've go

a clev

say anything like that to

o Mr. Boyd's house? Surely you did n

night before last, and how I promised father I'd catch the murderer. I dreamt of him again last night. 'Don't forget your promise,' he said. 'Look for me in Catchpol

less, but Dick had a clear sense of the absorbing earnestness and the pitif

said. "The body of a mous

I do right, Dick, in coming to tell you ab

e a man. You and I together would get at the bottom of

nhappy! The worst of it is"--she paused, and with a grave look

us, that's clear. It is a case of mutual antipathy. But I don

said. "I

I won

uest to-day, but couldn't get

ee him. His

end?" sh

d he made it

say, Dick, wh

now; you'll hear all

ny to buy a paper

So, Dr. Vinsen sp

d,' he says, 'before you are much older, and then you'll stick up for me.' He'll have to wait a long time for that. Mother's wild with me because I don't like

ed enough about him, Gracie, my girl. Now we'll get back to the house, an

ick, and I'll tell her you

know you will not break

, never! I'd

e the way they came, and

, Dick,"

her, and they parted at

PTE

E IN THE F

ine were in harmony with the taste displayed in the gathering together the costly and unique collection of articles which adorned the room. One might have expected to see such an apartment in an old palace, for the beautifying of which centuries of treasure had been collected through many generations, but scarcely in a street in Islington where wealth was not abundant, and where the residents, for the most part, were toilers of the humblest kind. Secluded as was the room--its door closed, its one window so closely shuttered that not a chink of light could be discerned from without--the hum of crowded life from the outer street penetrated it and droned like an exhausted bee

s white hand. He drank it slowly, and drank a second and a third in the same leisurely manner. Then he rose and went to the window, in the closed shutter of which was a small revolving panel. On a bracket within reach of his right hand was the box containing the flashlight, of which he had spoken in his evidence at the Coroner's Court, and within reach of h

esium wire, threw a flashlight on the house of Samuel Boyd. For one brief moment the walls a

he laid flat on a square of sensitised paper, and poured a liquid over it. Holding it up to the light a photograph of the walls and windows

f footsteps on the stairs caused him to look towards th

he bottle of wine, and without invitation he filled a glass, and was about to drink when he paused, as if a sudden suspi

eductive----altogether too seductive. Am I mistaken i

mistaken,"

result, o

out r

gas almost to the vanishing point, turned the revolving panel, and p

lutching his visitor's

ss of shadows," r

in--close

d Dr. Vinsen, testil

rd the small box, opened it, and sent a fl

he cried, falling

he had seen at the window th

TER

MIGHT HAVE BE

de, with the white fear depicted on his countenance, he presented a terror-struck appearance, and seemed to be waiting for

er to his companion. "What is it? Is there

d him back. Dr. Vinsen winced and impatiently endeavoured to free himself, but the fingers t

tered. "You are

easing him. Then he masked the shut

ion was visible. There are moments of unexpected surprise when the fixed habits of a carefully trained life slip their hold, and the mind becomes as unquestioningly receptive as that of a child. Such a moment had come to Dr. Pye w

is eyes travelled round the room, and colour ca

see it?" re

e w

muel Boyd standin

n a long deep breath of relief escaped him. "Only th

his question. "Yo

vince me by producing ocular proof. Your ingenious device takes an instantaneous picture of any o

has been used, and I om

nsen, dryly. "Suppose you suppl

ned the circular lid in the shutter, again threw the flash light upon the house of Samuel Boyd. The blank walls and windows confronted the

t," said Dr. Pye; "there

e on the fir

Samuel Boyd. I was not under the spell of a delusion; my senses did not dec

w the excellent example you set me. I have no faith in diablerie, nor am I a child to be influenced by a goblin tal

they produced any impression upon him; he seemed to be absorbed in a

derer. In proof of this he had, by a strange fatuity, carried about with him during all these years a certain piece of evidence which, had it been presented to a jury, would have been fatal to him. The circumstances were these: On the day of the murder he had entered the apartment of his victim at the moment that a prepared plate had been placed in the camera. A quarrel took place between them, which culminated in the murderer suddenly plunging a knife into the heart of the student photographer. Death was instantaneous, and as he fell to the ground his eyes were fixed upon the face of his murderer. There he lay upon the ground, dead, his eyes wide open. The murderer was himself a photographer, and a whimsical fancy seized him to take a picture of those staring eyes, in which a wild horror dwelt. He acted upon it. Focussing the dead face he exposed

with a touch of sarcasm

ghts of men. It will be done; and when it is accompl

shoulders, "great discoveries--your g

ut of this country, and return to Italy, where there is light, where the sun shines. This atmosphe

d m

on, and both had a motive-spri

ove all, let us be practical. There are accounts betw

ill

warning to the jury not to be led away by a resemblance that might be accidental was a masterstroke. It produced a good effect, but will it ass

ood in my path," said Dr. Pye, and now there was a c

to which" (here he bent his head, half in mockery, half in sincerity) "I pay tribute. That poor woman, Mrs. Abel Death, has had no news of her husband--singular, is it not? Her strange little child Gracie, I regret to say, views me with disfavour. It is some compensation that her mother regards us as her benefactors; and in some

o bland in manner should break in

esence is necessary. People shoot wild when there is no

ed the artistic sense. As I believe only in what I see, so do I believe only in what I feel. Better to feed the material senses--far more rational. If what you have presented to my view in your character is genuine, and not the outcome of a deliberate intention to deceive--in-ten-tion to de-ceive--it is composed of singularly contradictory qualities. In a certain sense, unique, for who would expect to find Alnaschar dreams floating among the fleshpots of Egypt? Your taste in

wed him, with suspicion and discontent on his face. For the fourth time on this night the room

hispered Dr. Pye.

d into the night

nd b

Vinsen, who jealously watched his every movement, he stepped to the table, withdrew the film from the little machine, and developed it. And there befo

dilated, his teeth chattered. Dr. Pye

now?" he asked

his hand confusedl

tinued Dr. Pye; "are they t

ht," replied Dr. Vinsen,

ment Dr. Py

TER

ILY C

hat he would join them at the earliest possible moment. It had been an anxious night with them, and they had had but little sleep. There were dark rims round Aunt Rob's eyes, and signs of unrest were on Uncle Rob's countenance. Singularly enou

e," he said, "and we have decided. She wished me at first to be guided by you

nder smile, and p

but what would be the use of asking for i

id Aunt Rob. "What ha

the discovery of the

t had she not observed the grave look on her husband's f

ove of," he remarked, after a pause

er?" asked

ifty to o

l Death and me as accomplices. No names are mentioned, but the inference can hardly be missed. On my way home from the funeral on Tuesday, and yesterday from the Coroner's Court, I saw some of the newspaper bills with their cruel headlines accusing me! I saw the silent accusation in the eyes of the people as I passed. Is it in nature that I should sit idly down under such imputations? They are enough to drive a man mad, and I shall go mad if I do not do something quickly to repel them. The wretch who went down to Bournemouth must have purchased a railway ticket; the clerk who sold it him may have seen his face; passengers travelling the same way must have seen him: he must have been seen by other persons in Bournemouth; he may have taken a carriage there to drive to the Gables; if he went on foot he may have asked his way to

ng. Trembling in every limb, shaking with passion

and clean and pure, and men and women shall say, 'The son has atoned for his father's faults, and stands before the world an honourable gentleman who has met misfortune bravely, and silenced the slandere

man whose heart, whose life, were linked with hers, ready to defend him, to suffer for him, to fling back the words of scorn flung at him--if

Reginald's heart; the sob

of you," he said huskily. "I pray t

rt throbbed wi

at my breast," she murmured to her

" he a

idst of the darkness, and through the lowering clouds one b

sided, and they were all se

ector of police I might argue with you; as a man and a fathe

re no traces of his night's anxious vigil, all was

offering a reward for the discovery of the murderer, the other for giving such information of Abel Dea

It might not be approved of in some quarters, but t

of his father's murderer the less we have of it the better. Why, instead of one man looking for the monster,

r that pitiful hoarse voice of hers, uncle, on the night of the fog, when she said, 'You will find father, won't you, sir?'" Uncle Rob nodded. "Well, as nobody has been able to find him, she has made up her mind to find him herself, heaven knows how, but somehow. She thinks of nothing else, she dreams of nothing else, and she's got it into that clever little head of hers that he's to be found in Catchpole Square, the

said Uncle Rob. "I'd b

ithout their seeing her, and hears Dr. Vinsen say, 'You act up to your instructions, and I'll keep my promise.' That's all she does hear, because the doctor, turning his head over his shoulder, sends her scuttling away; but she's certain he doesn't suspect th

, Dick," sai

uest about our private affairs, and that's been doing his best to thro

TER

THE PART OF F

her. I knew that wretch on the jury was against us from the first. There was a sly, wicked look in his eyes every time he turned towards us, and w

do any good. Likes and dislikes, when there's nothing tangible to back them up, count for nothing; and feelings count for not

gh at here, father," sa

that fairly you must take care not to let prejudice cloud your judgment. When little Gracie Death overhears Dr. Vinsen say, 'You act up

aid Dick, "but doesn

ntage of us. Reginald has put it clearly, and we must be prepared. Every hour a fresh complication crops up, and there's no telling what the next will bring forth. You see a man with an open newspaper in his hand; pe

ean, father?"

ng for the bull, and they won't rest satisfied till he's in the ring. That's where the danger is.

ips; he understood the dr

they don't want to see

that Dick's prejudice against Dr. Vinsen,

is. Do you consider that the inquest is being properly carried on? Do you consider it fair

consider

or it? Who but the juryman that little Gr

spir

of one of them an arrangement with an outside party to return a certain verdict, that I should imagine is a conspiracy, and the law can be made to touch them." Uncle Rob shook his head doubtfully. "Well, anyway, there's a free

Uncle Rob, and Florence pr

ace, and be glad if it hurt him. How does that juryman fellow become so familiar with our private affairs? It's through him you're compelled to tell all about Florence's marriage. It's through him that it's been drummed into the publ

asked Uncle Rob, bewildered, and yet half

s him start up all at once and go to Mrs. Death, and on the very first night he sees her give her a couple of sovereigns? Benevolence? Charity? That for his benevolence and charity!" Dick snapped his fingers contemptuously. "What makes him tell Mrs. Death a parcel of lies to poison her ears against me? What makes him tell me at your father's funeral, Reginald, that his heart is large, that it bleeds for all, and that it would be better for some of us if we were in our graves? What do I care for his bleeding heart, the infernal hypocrite? I'd make it bleed if I had my will of him, with his fringe of hair round his shining bald head! As for Dr. Pye, that mysterious gentleman keeps himself in the background till he sends a letter to the Coroner, saying he has evide

hem, sank into their hearts--but it was upon Florence's face that his gaze lingered, and he

n I thought you had no stability, and when I said as mu

nything comes of it. Reginald, I've something more to say. There's no mistake, is there

that when there's an important subject in one's mind--as there was that night in mine--a small incident which has no relation to it impresses itself upon the memory. That w

ou enter the house? T

, in my re

in the door the policeman

e been. I did

aw you go

he house is always ver

of Dr. Pye's evidence, so far as you are concerned, for he says he threw his flashlight at three in the morning. By Jove!" Dick exclaimed, looking at the clock on the mantelpiece, "it's ten o'clock, and the Coroner's Court opens at eleven. I sha'n't be there till late, unless there's a warrant out against me"--Dick la

is it,

he street, for I told her to keep out of sight. She's my shadow, you know, and I haven't the heart to order

in you," said A

little Gracie came away from home th

urself for letting a hungry child stand alone in the cold

that, or trouble that can't be cleared away to come to anyone she loves? No, no; the world wouldn't be worth livin

they all said, with someth

cie by the arm. They all l

her here, aunt?" a

a b

t, you know, G

know," she ans

ched. Florence stooped and kissed her, and there was a little trembling of her bloodless lips; it was the only sign of emotion she displayed, and it was gone

r tea as hot as you can, it will ease your cough--it's Dick's cup you're drinking out of, you won't mind that, I know--he's told us such a lot about you, and everything that's good--cut some more bread and butter, Florence--are you fond of jam, Gracie?--but what a question!--when I was a little girl I could eat a pot, only they wouldn't give me so much at a time--this is Dick's favourite jam, raspberry----" And all the time the good woman chattered she was putting f

than the poor little waif to whom they had been so ungrudgingly presented. To listen to the mother's wistful prattle, to witness the tender handling of this and that garment, to see the fond way she put them to her cheeks and kissed them, to note the loving looks she cast upon them as memory brought back the day and hour when Florence first wore them--true motherhood was never more beautifully expressed. And Gracie submitted without uttering a word--no sign of emotion on her sallow face, no sighs of delight, no tears. But when all was done and Aunt Rob sat down to rest, Gracie knelt before her and laid her head in her lap. Florence sat down too, an

'll go down to Dick. He'll be w

n that Gra

etter mother than she's been--and there's such a lot of us," she added, w

, kissing her. "I'm sure she must be the best mother

ish I was dead, so that she couldn't hear it, and she sets up all night mending our clothes. I've caught

dear. We are all very

e, and so's mother, but she ca

can, G

ody like her, nobody. I wish I could pick up a pursefull of money

rt. Tenderly disposed as she was towards Gracie, deep as was her compassion for her miserable state and her admiration for the noble qualities she displayed, Aunt Rob

he discovery and conviction of the murderer, and ￡200 for the discovery of Abel Death. Uncle Rob opposed this, and contended that much smaller sums would be sufficient, bringing forward instances where the offer of disproportionate rewards had been the cause of innocent person

ogether a lot of stuff to assist me. I made a muddle of the story, and whe

murderer. At the top of the bill was the Royal Coat-of-Arms, beneat

quare Mystery. It caused great excitement at the time, and the pap

"they made rather a mess of it there. There is one cur

ow," said Uncle Rob, with a

s prepared for anyth

," said Reginal

dn't reach your ears. I saw in one paper yesterday a comparison between the cases. The curious poin

me that he was the son," int

s that after going through no end of trouble

id Reginald

t the bill for?"

. We will word our b

s an offi

ave a bette

rd it some ot

almost defiantly. "This is

should do anything to prevent the

uncl

se and form of official documents. Besides, if it got to be known it would do more harm than good. My dear lads

on to pursue a certain course with calm, unshaken mind, and now, when he and Reginald were together, he met with no opposition. The prelim

lushing with pleasure at the improvement

g to Aunt Rob; "and oh, Dick, I do

Aunt Rob," said Dick, and was goin

e's f

't agree to something I proposed, and between you and m

get ready. You do what you've got to do, Dick, and don't talk

en went up to Florence, who was putting on h

ry to b

ng to break through the clouds. I put a great stake on that star, Florence. I said to myself, 'If it breaks through and I

dear

d over it, another, another, but its light

wil

s bright, as bright!--and the stake was won. That is how it's going to be with the trouble that's

ow there was a look

y dearest wish, you will have a long life of happiness with the man you

TER

CAUSE O

ted; he himself had spent a few weeks in a printing office, and, as a Jack of all trades, could do some

e a word first,

ah

n with the white face that

husband, the son o

so. He don't look as if

e wh

ow. The

ie. I suppose you heard

other, but he didn't

ou don't believe a word t

es. Don't blame her, Di

ng over this affair. There's care and sorrow yonder." He pointed over his shoulder in the direction of Aunt Rob's house. "G

ond of he

ve lived with them longer than I can remember. The last words I said to her just now were that I wanted to see her happy wit

Dick,

hand o

and he resumed his

ship without implicit confidence betw

be suspicious

're what I call thorough, and you've got the pluck of twenty men. We're sailing, you and I, in the ship Endeavour for the port Safety. There's onl

ou

hat's what oughtn't to be, and we'll mend it. He's got to be found, your father is, and brought for'ard,' says the captain, 'so that he may knock them hard words down their con-founded throats.' 'That's so,' says the mate--

ick--captain, I m

a dream,' says the captain, 'that I shouldn't have a shy at the discovery of him, and that's what I've set my mind on, if so be as you'

He thinks it more than

set about it?' says the first mate. 'Why,' says the captain, planting

," said Gracie,

ess because father doesn't come home, and as how it may be to some persons' interests to keep him from coming home, I'm thinking of offering a reward to anybody that can give information as to his whereabouts--in point of fa

and he asks the mate wha

ch him," said Gracie, slowly, wit

it. To find him, and restore h

aking. "If the mate--that's me, Dick--

tter of

pay it

paid through

ough

ough

e no cheating, and the mat

s nautical, and coming back to his original, self, "and we

is the rew

ndred p

ieve father was ever worth as much as that in al

sum. You do

do nothing

larger reward for the conviction of the murderer. All we want to get at is the truth, so that the innocent may be cleared an

it," said Gracie, not a

partner. Have you any ide

N

find out, I

if you want me to," said

t him. Whether he lives alone, or has a wife. Whether he has any children, and whether they have little bald heads with halos round them like

do it,

some coppers. If you've anything to tell me come to Aunt Rob's house any time between six and eight. I've a particular reason for not wanting to be seen with you in Catchpole Square to-night. Here are a couple more coppers for brandyballs for the babies at home. Now,

e, and away she scudded, prou

allowed to go out. He was blear-eyed, and was cursed with a spasmodic twitching on the right side of his face, which imparted to his features a ghastly mirth; and close as was his observance of them he had s

Gracie flew away and Dick entered the printing office. "Dick

the door through which Dick had passed, proce

argued him out of it, being doubtful whether a private individual had the right to use it for the detection of the perpetrator of a criminal offence. But for the better publicity of the reward Dick was bent upon a pictorial illustration, and out of a lot of old woodcuts they fished a rough wood-block of the figure of Justice, blindfold, holding

gure of even-hand

AUSE OF

RD

REW

prove that he was Murdered, and Medical Testimony has been given to the effect that the Murder must have been Committed either on the night of the 1st or the 2n

or to Mr. Reginald Boyd, Son of the Murdered Gentleman, who wil

lso the loan of the "devil" to carry the paste tin, Dick, now more than ever a Jack of all trades, issued forth to stick the bills himself, leaving behind him the copy of the poster offer

at the twitching face, with i

ering up at the flushed, hand

TER

PURP

at him, with all the leering muscles of his face at work, was the man of

hen you see me ag

he old man. "My name's Hig

iness, or from inward perturbation, he was making rather a bungle of it. Under any circumst

a, then b c d; riddle-me-riddle-me-riddle-me-rye, the letter we stop at next is i; riddle-me-riddle-me-riddle-me-rick, a c and a k will make i

comfortable feeling spreading

Higgins, suddenly descending

Dick, "at the firs

hing his head at the opposite side of the

arlet females in outrageous costumes and impossible postures, the product of a mischievous school of impressionists--even amidst these monstrous parodies of art a double-demy poster offering a rew

ng to pay ￡500 for the discovery and conviction?" "Ah, but that might be a plant, you know. They've been that cunning from first to last that there's no saying what they mightn't be up to." "What comes over me is what they've done with Lady Wharton's jewellery. Nice lot the ladies of the upper suckles, borrowing money secretly of such a cove as Samuel Boyd. I s'pose it's their gen-teel way of putting things up the spout. Now, what are they going to do with it when she can swear to every bit of it?" "Do with it? Take it to Amsterdam or New York. Easy to get rid of it there." "Why go so fur? Ain't there plenty of fences in London?" "Never catch 'em, never! There's no clue." "No clue! How about that bull

these bills on the walls; and Mr. Higgins, pulling at his under lip, listened because Dick listened, and watched the young man's face cunningly to see what impression the various arguments

ins," he said, in h

led Mr. Higgins. "I

od for the

rum, to com

ly, "and if you insist upon my standing you a qua

," said Mr. Higgins, w

id Dick, insinuatingly,

inent risk of the contents. Then Dick dismissed the printer's boy, and with the bundle of damp bills under his a

rum," he asked, "at the

d Mr. Higgins. "Bet

or the old man, which he disposed of in one gulp. He then demanded another quart

aint Vitus friend, what's your little game? L

eye on Dick all the time he was thus employed. With tremulous forefinger, long a stranger to soap and nail brush, he pointed to a sketch portrait in an accou

only a head and shoulders. Is it

comment. "What are you giving us?

u?" retor

but resentment. "Neglected as a kid, jumped upon as

, can't say. Take

a bit o' luck when it's ahead of him. Look here, young fell

nterrupted Dick, saucily,

he sheet and brought into view another portrait of Dick--"and strike me straight!' Why, there it is agin,' I says. 'And here it is agin,' I says." He turned over the third sheet, "and underneath 'em all the name of Dick Remington. 'What luck!' says I to myself. 'What a slice o' luc

d Dick, "and cut it shor

ern o'

a gun. Pending compliance with his demand, as to which Dick did not hesitate, and the pouring of the liquor down his throat, as if it were t

e bi

ick, with an assenting

oice. "Rope and grapnel of it!" He thrust his twitch

s he, 'is the picture of Mr. Dick Remington, nephew of Inspector Robson, and cousin of the young lady as goes and marries the son of Samuel Boyd on the sly.' He's a sharp little boy, almost as sharp as you, Mr. Dick Remington. 'O-ho!' says I to him, 'and does Mr. Dick Remington give evidence at the inquest?' 'Yes, he does,' says the boy, and he reads it out to me. 'You've missed something,' I says. 'You've missed what Mr. Dick Remington says about the

radesman like Mr. Higgins." There was a gleam of suspicion and doubt in Mr. Higgins's eye as he twitched up his head at this remark, whi

gasped Mr. Higgins,

w he was not in the mood for any kind of light diversion. Still it was with a mocking air t

s! Get on, will you? You left off where you

dent manner had introduced was not lessened was apparent, for though wh

on got to keep it dark?' says I to myself. 'Why don't he say nothing about it? There's someth

nd Mr. Higgins shifted uneasily in his chair, "I

ys I, 'here's a working man ashamed to carry a rope. He asks for a bit of paper to wrap it up

aid Dick, patronisingly

t you didn't use it to get over the wall at the back of Samuel Boyd's house in Catchpole Sq

ve had the papers read wrong.

same. The man as did it helped hisself to the money and jewels, and made off with the swag--

few brains you possess. If you think I can't reckon up an honest tradesman like you, you were never more mistaken

s room in Constable Pond's house, and the key of that room was in his pocket. How could he explain away his possession of the rope? He would be asked why he made no mention of it at the inquest; his silence regarding it would be a piece of damning evidence against him. And not the only piece. His prowling about in the neighbourhood of Catchpole Square at an early hour of the morning, as testified by Constable Applebee, was in the highest degree suspicious when taken i

that they would suspect him to be the murderer? He had woven a net for himself, and if he were not careful he would drag down Regina

ess in the presence of Mr. Higgins would be fatal.

lowly and sternly, "to go and

omposure with delight, and encouraged by the impression his sarcastic references to Mr. Higgins as an honest tradesman had

s Catchpole Square Mystery, but we don't go to sleep over them, though some people may think we do. And when we're playing a high game we don't show our cards. What I mean is, that we'll have your place searched for stolen goods. How will that suit you, my honest tradesman? We can bring one or two things aga

hood were in the habit of selling their small spoils across his counter; this modern Fagin was always ready to buy, and no questions asked. He had been in trouble more than once, and was in mortal dread of getting into trouble again. This, of course, was unknown to D

Busy Bee' used a rope and grapnel, perhaps he didn't. Perhaps it was the one I bought of you, perhaps it wasn't. I'm not going to let you into the know, Mr. Higgins. How would you like to have the papers down on you as well as the police? How do you know I'm not acting under instructions to track and catch the murderer or murderers of Samuel Boyd? How do you know"--here he leaned forward, and tapped Mr. Higgins confidentially on the breast--"that I'm not in the secret service myself? Would you like to hear what is in these bills that you are going to help me stick on the walls? I've just come from the printing office where I've had them printed. You can't read, you say; it is a pity you should b

eneath the volley which Dick had poured upon him, at the end of which he was sitting in his

u got to say?" he

rum," gaspe

rfered with. Pull yourself together, and listen to what more I've got to say. What we want to do--the secret service, the detectives, the Criminal Investigation Department, and all of us--is to keep this matter as quiet as possible till the thieves and mu

it. We'll wipe him out, that's what w

e. Mr. Higgins lay helpless

e," he whined. "

ur own mother for

, "not so bad as that, not so bad as th

understand each other. Take up the paste pot, and carry it steady. Yo

paste spilt from the pot he carried in his trembling hands. At every fresh stoppage a crowd gathered, arguing, disputing, airing theories. These chiefly consisted of conjectures as to who the murderer was, how the murder had been committed, how many were in it, who the man was who had been seen by Dr. Pye coming out of the house

dressed in corduroy, "is that no pardon is offered to any accomplice as didn't actually com

his name might be," remarked a second speak

third, "let's draw

roy, offering no comment on these expressions of opinion, "a

he second man, "but this ain't a Government bill. It

vate individual in this here case, do you? He's a interested party, that's what he is. Wha

ther. At which there was a general laugh. "Do

w it's alias there, and

" said a quiet onlooker, who, meditatively rubbing h

was acquainted. He turned and accosted the officer, who put his finger to

rning,"

t. "I did not know you were

n honest penny, sai

s, mate," said th

he grant of her Majesty's gracious Pardon to any accomplice not being the person who act

be well up in

turn in a Government

general interest," said an elderly man, "whether

een's ev

reward as well

mplice in this here blooming murder, with them words in that there bill orfered by the Government. I'd touch, mates, pre

approval of many in the crowd, who edged away, with distrustful looks at the speaker. Dick also wa

ve," remar

said Dick. "Anyth

ing much visual attention to the man at his side or the man in the rear; but Dick knew better. He knew that detective

nds is a good rou

him, "there wouldn't be a chance for you, for the words would run, 'the above reward will be paid to any person (other than a person belonging to a police force in the United Kingdom) who shall gi

ing. Well----" But he paused suddenly, as if he were about to say too much. "One of these days, perhaps, ther

, and youth grows wrinkled in an hour. Now, what we're aiming at in this mystery"--he flourished his paste brush--"is that, until we get at its heart, people shan't forget it. We'll keep it before them morning, noon, and night. No hole-in-the-corner business. Step up, old man." This to Mr. Higgins, who came shambling forward, his features twitching twenty to the dozen. With the eyes of so sharp an officer as Lambert upon him Dick was no

denying it,"

Higgins and I struck up a friendship. What's t

gins. The answer seemed to be jerk

bert made a movem

off?" a

Take care o

l tr

ss of men, and shrewd as Dick was he would have found it beyond his power to divine what was passing in Lambert's mind as he strolled leisurely away, but a quiet smile on the younger man's lips denoted that he was not

ringly after the vanishing figure of the detective

s I have," w

gland through, and you won't meet his match. He had his eye on you, I noticed." Mr. Higgins shivered. "If ever you ge

of. Then he reckoned up what was due to Mr. Higgins, paid and dismissed him, and repeated his caution abou

a different pair of shoes. What did he mean about another case of mystery? I thought he was going to let it out, but he pulled himself up sho

what passed between him and certain well known tradesmen therein he would have had ano

TER

" REPORT OF THE CONTIN

n for seats from privileged and influential quarters that very few of the general public succeeded in gaining admittance. Intense as has been the interest evinced in this extraordinary case, the startling and unexpected revelations made by witnesses who ha

t the offer of a reward in such cases only serves to put the guilty parties more carefully on their guard. For the same reason they may object to the bills that are now being posted in London offering rewards for the discovery and conviction of the murderer or murderers, and for the discovery of Abel Death, of whom no news whatever is as yet forthcoming. The bills are appropriately headed "In the Cause of Justice," and it is to be hoped that they will assist the cause of justice. We make no comment upon the circumstance that Mr. Reginald B

pened with the examination of Mrs. Abel Death, but before sh

"I ask permission t

, and I am desirous not to subject the jury to the inc

at I do not wish to waste your time, but you must see that what has transpired in the

hear what Mr. Regin

am in your han

o bed, and did not arise from it for a week in consequence of my illness. I fear that it is not in my power to offer corroborative evidence. My landlady and her servant went to bed, I understand, between ten and eleven o'clock, and have no recollection of hearing anybody come into the h

. Perhaps you had bette

my statement as to his. I will endeavour to make myself clearer. I affirm upon my oath that I was in my bed within a few minutes of midnight, and did not leave it again. Dr. Pye affirms that three hours afterwards he saw a person resembling me leave my father's house in a suspicious manner. To the truth of my statement I can bring forward no witnesses. Can Dr. Pye bring

sion upon the audience, which was deepened when they turned to the glowin

pend upon your memory. Quoting your own words: 'I was deeply agitated, and my mind was in confusion. The fever from which I i

to offer no excuse which could not be accepted by an impartial mind, nor to take advantage of any.

fact that no suspicion attaches to Dr. Pye, and th

rmth): "Is that a fair rem

emark, and should not have been made

TER

E" CONTINUES ITS RE

he circumstances of her husband's dismissal from the service of Mr. Samuel Boyd, and of his going late at n

your husband rece

a-week, with deduction

work lon

t night. Occasionally he worked overti

happy in his

be, sir, with

requent dis

ey had; but it wasn'

Boyd for a loa

s,

it would b

expected

an must have been a great di

broke his h

aused him to speak words to Mr. Boyd whic

ing me everything that passed between them, and he didn't use a threatening wor

blood between them

e there w

Mr. Boyd's unexpected re

t in the afternoon. It

ld Boyd's visit in the afternoon. Wa

at my husban

ject of his second v

st be that, but that he wouldn't

sal, are you aware whether h

et, sir, or my husban

theories that have been advanced to a

have thought of such a thing. I was a bit afraid of it the last night I saw him when he started up to go to Catchpole Square, but he saw what was in my mind, and he said, 'Don't

at all as to the ca

ir. Fou

have any

sir. He wasn't of a qu

ransactions between him

expense, he gave my husband two sovereigns. We thought it was a loan, but afterwards, when we offered to pay it off at a shilling a week, Mr. Reginald said it was only a friendly little present, and that he would be vexed if we didn't look up

you paus

on't. It woul

e should like to

out it, sir, unless you force me to it

k, Mr. Coroner, the witness should

h): "You would rather not

"I would rat

not ask you to

"But, Mr. C

cision." (To the witness). "How long did you remain up on Friday n

uare, on the chance that Mr. Samuel Boyd would be able to give me some information of him. I knocked at the door, and hu

our house at two

that ti

take you to reach

d I should think it took

front of Mr. Boyd's house

s,

ked more

l times

n each fresh summo

wer that nev

about the Square. Can yo

ut I should say I must have been

us to half

s,

r. Coroner, but the witness did

you a watch or a cl

, s

nt as to the time

tchpole Square I heard a c

u know if there is an officer in Cou

le: "I do m

re a church close by

Yes, sir, Saint

can be heard in C

e: "Quite pl

ath). "You heard the hour strike when

been there

ined some tim

s long

that the church c

I counted

move out of

, s

ere there was the door of Mr

, s

from the house, and linger o

, s

d you observe a sudden flash of

uite dark all the

quite p

positiv

while Dr. Pye was giving his evidence yesterday, held their breath, as it were, and an expression o

Coroner, that the evidence on

e as the evidence of wit

"It is unco

vidence of Dr. Pye, as Mr

s Mr. Reginald B

Mrs. Death.) "I have no fu

ER XL

NER'S SU

ur verdict. At the opening of this inquiry I made a strong appeal to you to keep an open mind, and not to be influenced by the rumours and theories which have been freely broached by press and public. It is in this way that the i

en committed, a murder of extreme brutality, and distinguished by features of extreme cunning. Another, that the m

he task before you would have been rendered far less difficult. I would not have you attach too much importance to the apparent connection between the perpetration of the murder and the disappearance of Mr. Abel Death. Coincidences as strange are not uncommon in matters less serious, and it is not because this matter is serious that the coincidence should be construed to the disadvantage of a man who is absent. Up to Friday, the 1st of March, his relations with his employer were as fairly satisfactory as could hav

comprehension of this part of the mystery let us for a mome

bout ten o'clock, at which hour we may assume that Mr. Samuel Boyd had not retired to rest. At about nine o'clock Lady Wharton left Mr. Samuel Boyd at the door of his house, and from that moment all is mystery. We know, however, that he must have had matters to attend to which would keep him up a couple of hours. Lady Wharton had

ummons Mr. Boyd goes down to see who is there. A man living alone in a house so safely removed from public observation would be scarcely likely to open his street door to casual visitors at ten o'clock at night, nor, the business of the day being over, would he neglect to put the chain on the street door. His probable course

and who was in a sense desperate. As to Mr. Abel Death's subsequent movements we are left in mystery. His wife suggests foul play. That a man left in the position to which my argument has carried him should deliberately conceal himself without a distinct motive is not to be thought of, and for this reason I consider the suggestion of foul play tenable. From whom, or from what quarter, who shall say? But we are not

common humanity--that they must perforce breed animosity and resentment in the breasts of those whom they entrap. I am referring, understand, to that class of moneylenders whose nefarious practices have made them a danger to society, and I am happy to see that the strong arm of the law is being stretched forward to protect the unwary and unsuspecting victims who fall into their clutches. On the other hand, there are, of course, among such a man's customers some crafty borrowers who would trick th

tion, we behold him still alone at about eleven o'clock, his office business finished, the visit of Mr

is inquiry private domestic affairs have been dragged into the light which seemingly had no connection with it, but painful as this must have been to certain of the witnesses, it has established more than one point which, in the opinion of some of you, may be of importance--such, for instance, as the nature of the relations which existed between Mr. Samuel Boyd and his son, and the fact that the latter was in extremely straitened circumstances. I do not think that any blame is to be attached to the son for having renounced the name of Boyd two years ago, when

wife, he should have made an effort to obtain restitution. In my reference to these matters I am not wandering from the issue, for what you have to consider is, not one incident, circumstance, or act, a

ich cannot be regarded in any other than a praiseworthy light. He even went so far as to voluntarily mention small incidents leading to the asking of questions, his answers to which may be unfavourably construed. I observed him n

s not the evidence of Dr. Pye given in a manner which inv

rms, so far as Mr. Reginald Boyd is concerned. Here we are confronted with a most singular discrepancy. Dr. Pye states that he saw a man issue from Mr. Samuel Boyd's house at three o'clock in the morning. Mrs. Abel Death states that she was in Catchpole Square from half past two till half past three on the same morning, and that during the whole of that time the door of Mr. Boyd's house was not opened. I do not see how thes

ave struck two. If Mrs. Death reached Catchpole Square at half past

dence as it is presented to us, and draw our conclusions from them. I asked Mrs. Death if she was certain that the church clock struck three, and she a

t. Mrs. Death's repeated knocking at the street door would surely have aroused the inmate had he been liv

ve thrown their contents, direct our minds to a consideration of the kind of men responsible for the murder and the robbery. That so much trouble should have been taken to remove and obliterate all signs of the struggle, and to make it appear that a ruthlesss and brutal deed had not been committed, would seem to point to the probability that the men are not experienced members of the criminal classes; while the skill and cunnin

arrying of which, by night or by day, would have drawn attention upon them? Some ulterior motive there must have been. The close and secret manner in which the deceased conducted his business, the circumstance that he admitted no man into his confidence, serve, in the present aspect of the case, as a stumbling block to justice. The criminals must h

t the loan of ￡1,000 already arranged between them, for which she had deposited jewels as security, should be increased to ￡1,500, promising, for the additional ￡500, to hand him other jewels as security when they meet in Bournemouth. The letter written and posted, is left by the postman in the post box of Mr. Boyd's house in Catchpole Square. And here we are brought face to face with the unparallelled audacity of the criminals. Having access to the house they obtain possession of the letter, and they conceive the idea of personating the dead man for the purpose of getting hold of these additional jewels. No illiterate, uneducated criminals these; past-masters in forgery as well as in murder, who shall say what undiscovered crimes may be laid at their door? I have no hesitation in declaring that no parallel exists in criminal record

ty of your task. Justice demands that this mystery shall be cleared up, but be careful that you do not take a false step, for

TER

IE DEATH ON

f Dick she thought most, and it was him she most ardently wished to serve. The attachments formed by children, and the ideals they create, are often stronger and more binding than those of men and women; and no stronger attachment was ever formed by a child, and no more lofty and beautiful an ideal created than those which reigned in Gracie's soul

ck, but by an absolute reliance upon herself, Gracie pondered upon her course of action. She must go somewhere. Where? She had no idea in which direction Dr. Vinsen lived, and she was not the kind of girl to

rmed him that Mrs. Death had gone to the "inkage," which was the nearest approach the little ones could make to "inquest." Gracie thought it was a curious question f

-cie? Has she gone to the 'inkage' too?" Who could doubt that it w

the children, "she can't get in, she

hbouring front door watched him issue from the house. He stopped and exchanged words with a woman whom Gracie knew, and with whom she was a great favourite; they were close to her hiding place, and Gracie heard what passed. He was very gracious,

e runs in and out as if all the world and his wife wa

, with a number of amiable nods. "Sharper than a

with spirit, "it's what she don't deserve. Beggin' y

th a chuckle. "Give it him hot. Y

tle Gracie down--our lit-tle Gra-cie down! No, no

woman, "and I beg your pardon

e taken. Is this your little one?" A sturdy blue-eyed toddlekins was tugging at her apron string

re, and strolled out of Draper's Mews. She gave

said Gracie. "Thank you ever

d no definite business to attend to, and no definite goal to reach. Passing a public house of a superior kind, he had gone a dozen yards beyond it when he turned back and entered the private bar. Grace made a rapid survey, to see how many doors there were by which he could leave. In point of fact, although of course it was a corner house, there was only one, but of this she was not aware, so she posted herself on the opposite corner and watched all the doors, and if there had been twice as many she would have had eyes for them all. He remained a long time in the private bar, and when he made his reappearance he was still as undecided as to his course. It may have been out o

PTE

, THE MON

a girl of unusual sharpness and penetration, it may be that she got down that way for the purpose of keeping her eye upon Dr. Vinsen, and if this were so she was quite successful, for she did not lose sight of him for a single moment, despite the busy throng of p

n him by which his previous movements had been distinguished--appeared to take great interest, listening to them intently and scanning such portions of the contents-bills carried by the boys as were visible in the midst of the hurly-burly. The familiar cry of "The Great Catchpole Square Mystery!" was as potent a bait as ever to purchasers, among whom Dr. Vinsen

ie there was a stoppage at the top of Parliament Street to enable passengers to get in and out, and she could recover her breath; and when the omnibus started again the traffic on the bridge was crowded, so that she trotted along quite comfortably, and had no difficulty in keeping her game in view. At the end of the bridge Dr. Vinsen got out and sauntered on past St.

d pointed out its exceptional features. It was of peculiar construction; the interior was padded, and there were receptacles lined with soft material, in which articles could be deposited with little fear of breakage. The interest which Dr. Vinsen took in the trunks and the long conversation between him and the salesman, whetted Gracie's curiosity, and she burned to know the why and the wherefore; but being compelled to keep at a safe distance, she could not hear a word that was spoken. Finally, Dr. Vinsen entered the warehouse a

plate attached to the side of the door, and creeping past it Gracie read on it the name, "Ezra Lynn," and beneath it in smaller letters the announcement, "Sums of from ￡5 to ￡15,000 advanced at a low rate of interest on promissory note alone, without any sureties or security whatever, and without any beforehand charges. The strictest privacy and secrecy observed." Gracie's eyes dilated at

house of Ezra Lynn and asked for a penny loaf. Behind the counter was a motherly woman with a baby in h

opping in the middle of a little nurs

a piece out of the loaf and smiling

ry," said

I am h

ou like a b

illing," said p

little mite! And how dusty!

racie, and encouraged by the woman's kind voice

," said the woman, going to an

simply, "I'm ever so much obliged

ild, and sit d

und, so that she faced it. There she sat awhile, munching her bread and drinking her milk. A man came into the sh

lf-a-quartern, missis

my books already, Mr. Mildew, and I can't affor

. My heart's fairly broke trying to get work. It doesn't much

ty was; she knew what it was to want bread. "The

she had more than half-a-crown left. "The kiddies must starve!" Not if she could help it. The price of bread wa

im have the b

t her; the woman

e said. "You shall have the bread

it needed a piece for make-weight, and, the fount o

'un; you don't live on the fat of the land, from the looks of you. I've got a girl about your size and weight at home." He repeated t

. "It's hard lines, I own, but it's got to be obeye

ked the last drop out of me. Him give time!--with the l

e only one," s

and interest in advance. Three pound two, that's as much as I got, and I had to pay half-a-crown a week for fifty-two weeks. If I was a week behindhand there was a fine of sixpence, which kept on being charged and put down against me till that week was paid up. It was all a muddle, and I don't pretend to understand it, but a mate of mine that's q

ess the passion and the

door, saw it opened, and saw a man come from the house, a thin, slinking, sly-faced m

r chaps down that's drawn into his mill. Grinds 'em down, blood, bones, heart, and soul. Mr. Lynn'

in the neighbourhood; they say he started with a hundred pounds, but a man like

d he could set up his carriage, if he liked. He's got big fish t

the woman, "when you told me yo

bury, and I couldn't get the money any

. "I've had my share

st by many a score that that man's ruined. And to talk to

w," said the man, morose

nd Dr. Vinsen appeared on the threshold, buttoning his gl

so much wickedness under that sm

d the man, leaving the shop hurried

eave the shop, for Dr. Vinsen stood immediately facing it. He

entleman, ma'a

f," the woman replied, "Mr. Ezra Lynn

me," continued Gracie, "

ver heard the name. I don't think he lives in this n

t, as if he were about to strike, and then, afraid that his passion might carry him too far, turn quickly upon his heel and walk away; she had seen Dr. Vinsen hail a hansom cab an

t have seen me, and all the fat would be in the fire. I've got something to tell Dick

PTE

AD L

he jury had been deliberating (some persons declared squabbling) since three o'clock, and it was now past five, no verdict was yet returned. It was rumoured that there was a serious difference of opinion between them on more than one point, and it was certain that they had o

n or persons unknown was second favourite, six to four against it. A verdict of Murder against Mr. Abel Death, fifty to one against it. The names and the odds were freely bandied about, and there were many persons who discussed them with a light, not to say jovial, air; while Reginald and

needed information or direction. The foreman replied that they did not need direction in matters of fact, but that there was a difference of opinion

some kind I presume there is no doubt in y

e whatever. We are

verdict of Murder against some person or pe

followed the case very carefully

You are open to

it, I claim to possess an average intelligence. Throughout the whole of this

: 'At whose

u have treated us like a flock of shee

in my long service as Coroner this is an entirely new experience, and I greatly regret it. In view

all not. I stand

ed upon to perform. Continue your deliberations, and arrive at you

e any comments upon this very unusual scene. When the verdict is given we shall have something to s

ng for the parties vitally interested in the result. Florence and Aunt Rob entreated Reginald to leave the Court, but he refused, and Uncle

p of this came another piece of news. All over London billstickers were pasting offers of another reward offered by Lady Wharton's lawyers for the discovery of her jewel

urt to get a little fresh air, Detect

job,"

ng job," respo

an all-round sort of chap; can turn his hand to anything. Just think of a young fellow like that turning bill-sticker. Not at all

e said it if he

it be

d Uncle Rob, "and I hope

covert, sidelong look. "See here, Robson. We had

as an inspector of police, to strange surprises, there was a flutter at h

otice," continued Lambert, "when

es

going to happen. I'm only waiting here

d t

and I admire him for it. Supposing the verdict runs, 'some person or persons unkno

and if it runs

s brought again

es

f course he'll

ll." Uncle Rob spoke in a sad tone; these two men perfectly understood each oth

terested in. Cloudy to-day, fine to-morrow; there's no telling what changes to expect in such a blessed climate as o

Uncle Rob, m

manly; but he's been that all through. So what I say is, to save a scene,

ow

eir lives sitting in that stuffy court all day. A pair of bricks I call them; I should be proud, I should indeed, Robson, if they were my wife and daughter. Proud you

t by "the business." "It's d

got the warrant

r the ve

r the ve

Uncle Rob, with a sinking heart, "bey

way quietly, just whisper a word to him, and we'll walk along as comfortably a

Uncle Rob, huskily; he was thinking of Florence. "We've talked it over among ourselves, an

inion is?" asked Lambert, i

ne in a lawful and legal way, Reginald would not wait to be brought before a judge. He w

en my advice, and it's a pity the ladies should be present, but if you say it can't be helped, well, it can't

do that," sa

more consideration evinced for his feelings than he could reasonably have expected that it seemed to him as if Lambert was keeping something in the background. Lambert returned his gaze steadily and impenetra

anything behind this, Lambert, that would br

under lip, which he softly pinched as caress

If her husband wasn't prepared for it of course it would be different, but as it is----" H

the verdict's give

erdict at all, or will give one that the Coroner will refuse to accept. There's a man among them who's bent upon having his own way, and that will stick out like grim death if he can't bring the others to his way of thinking. He's a kind of animal not

Uncle Rob would have laid down his own; and yet here he was unbosoming himself in a friendly and confiding way to the very person against whose happine

pat on Uncle Rob's shoulder. "I know what I'm about, so don't

e charge is murder, and a man's lif

u look at it only from the out

t is

rrest should be made by a friendly hand than by the hand of a stranger? I'm not the only one who's itching to get the credit of clearing up a mystery that's set all London ringing; and we're not half done with it yet, not half done. It's a feather in one's cap to be mi

g to arrest my son-in-law," s

aw on the charge of murdering his father, Mr. Samuel Boyd, of Catchpole Square.

eve him guilty?" sai

' sake, but my opinions, for the present, I keep to myself." He l

hour. I wish I'd resigned,

a Roman father once--I don't remember his name--that sent

le Rob. His voice trembled, h

t, half roughly. "You're on nigh

!" cried Uncle Rob, a cold perspir

e nearest station. There's no

le Rob. "My own child, Lambert, my own chil

ier for him. As for forgiveness, they're not the women I take them for if they harbour a thoug

s before, the Coroner and the recalcitrant juror. From the flushed faces of the jurymen it was evident that there had been a

e most helpless of the party. "As a matter of fact we are spli

ity of your agreeing?

ek," replied the foreman, "I d

ving up the thing in despair, "let me know in plain term

own in writing,"

es or so returned with three documents, which were handed to

was a verdict of Wilful Murder agai

er jurymen, was a verdict of W

rough the court, and Mrs. Death, starti

s! You liars! Yo

and restrained from rushing to the spot

r four jurymen, was a verdict of W

to me in all seriousne

eplied the Juror. "With eight of my colleagues I do

cannot accept. The dissensions which have arisen amongst you are deeply regrettable, and I tell you plainly you have not served the cause of justice. I have placed before you a form of verdict which would meet th

xist between us, sir, quite

om your labours, but that is no fault of mine. You will attend this court next Thursday morning at eleven o'clock. By that

ere not at an end was received by the

ut back and tried again before a fresh jury, but this cannot be done in a Coroner's Court. Before I finally discharg

t then b

e." He rolled this round his tongue, as if it were a delectable morsel. Detective Lambert, without seeming to notice Reginald, was almost the first to leave the court, and he stood outside, smoothing his chin, a target for all eyes, for his fame had travelled far and wide, and it was already rumoured that he had "taken up" the Catchpole Square Mystery. Two or three of th

TER

ED FOR

le Rob, in a low tone, laying

mind was in too agitated a state to pay close attention to any of the evidence except those parts which affected her husband, and she had therefore, until she heard the Coroner's address to the jury, missed the significance of the contradiction she had given to the statement of Dr. Pye as to the hour he had seen a man come from Samuel Boyd's house in Catchpole Square. In justice to her it must be said that even

e disappeared through the door of the court; and

aiting outside," said U

r m

r y

epping to Aunt Rob's side he said, in a tone of assumed lightness, "We are full of secrets just n

d not heard what had passed had caught its sense, and she

. "I am going to walk with

nd then in an imploring tone, "Do not sen

d Reginald, as if in surprise

n't keep anything from us, father.

, who nodded, and passed his

y considerately, and asked me to break it to you." His voice faltered

, now stood apart and alone, and what they said could b

d to come. Reginald will face it like a man, and will fl

because of the grief I have brou

engthened my love for you. I put my trust in God." She bent down, and pressed her lips upon his hand; the night had fal

for my sake

eart was the prayer, "God shiel

to a constable, and, whispering a few words to him, to point somewhat conspicuously to the juror who had show

inquest, it was gained, for the juror walked up to the detective, and inquired if he had pointed at him with any

rsued the man, nettled at Lambert's sil

ed Lambert, slowly consideri

say, for Lambert had fallen into a meditative mood, and to fe

distance of a dozen yards or so, with her black eyes fixed upon the juror,

y. The juror held his ground, but was not at his ease, for he felt that Lambert's eye was on him, and to be thus meditatively o

you going to take?"

ant to know?"

other, and I've a hundr

hinderi

n. That's your

it," said Mr. Rawdon

em a credit to ourselves and our families. And we're born, not only to names that stick to us, but to tempers that stick to us. Now, when I see a man showing a nasty temper, I cast about in my mind for something that will soothe

don, upon whom the detective's words

, you know, Mr. Rawdon, there's many a thing in a man's life he'd prefer to keep to himself. As for tiring me out, you couldn't do it, Mr. Rawdon. It's well known that Detective Lambert

t of your question?" as

; but then I never miss; and I never do anything definite--anything definite, mind--or say anything definite (which is what I'm going to say

and it," said

Mr. Rawdon: there's a lot hanging to it that the present company--my friend Inspector Robson and his good wife, and my friend Mr. Reginald Boyd and his go

ady, Mr.

ynn, how much do you owe him altogether, and what arrangement has lately been made

genial smile upon Mr. Rawdon, whose perturbation was so g

tty point raised in this inquiry into the Catchpole Square Mystery; one or two more or les

h he were glad of an excuse to set his limbs in motion Mr. Rawdon moved slowly away, in the opposite direction to the Bishop Street Police Station. The other pe

e next moment became grave as he touche

h she had been stung, but

ambert," said Reginald. "You

to another, but as I've already explained to the Inspector it is the proper station t

be heard

turned to Florence and Aunt Rob. "I hope you'll not take it amiss, ladies. Duty's duty, and it's hard to do sometimes. Mr. Boyd and I will walk quietly to th

ing with him as far as the station?" She spoke stiffly and severely: des

world, if y

t," said Flor

u would hardly believe it, but at this time every Thursday night I get a singing in my ears that ma

at a man was being arrested for murder. Within two or three hundred yards of B

d Aunt Rob have no one to take them home. You see what is going on." Dick nodded. "Now that

lawyer, Dick,"

ng attende

nd myself," said Reginald, "but

fternoon, and we have agreed upon the barrister, Mr. Edward

just sid

what I me

, that you have gone

ll along. Is Lambert acting

instruction

rove of Mr. Pal

s an honou

t. I have a pair of solicitors in my mind now, a couple of sharp, sneaking scoundrels who never yet have had the handling of a reputable case. Mr. Lamb is not a very eminent solicitor, but he i

f them had

ight, aunt, with news, perhap

n them presently, he and the Inspector retired to a small room at the back of the office, where th

h came in with her little girl, and told us of the disappearance of her husband. We argued it out together, and the thought of

then, with no object in life to lift him out of the lethargic state into which he had fallen, the hours now were all too short for

re the rock upon which we must lean for safety. Oh, Dick,

me tell you--I may not have another opportunity. I'm going to see Florence and Aunt Rob home, where I've aske

e Inspector, catching

to be made at your house, and that all letters for me are to be left there. If any inquiries are made, tell Aunt Rob and Florence that they're to say they are expecting me home at any moment, and don't know

Dick

praying for, and perhaps there are things I've kept from you because it would never have done to tell them to a police inspector. There

see that, and it has

d into the light, so that it could be

, my

you ca

es

if I'm left free to follow out my plans. If I am hampered in any way Reginald will lose his best defender. I've been in danger once to-day, and my

ned himself, and walked to his desk. Then Lambert, who held the warrant in hi

with a proud, defiant look. "Until my innocence

my son," s

t, and passed out of the scene. He offered no good-bye greeting to the others, and seemingly took no notice of Aunt Rob's action w

nce and Reginald, clasped in each other's arm

and," said the girl-wife. "He w

" said Reginald.

my son," sa

d calmness to sustain the other in this bitter trial. Ins

her, Dick,"

nald," said Dick,

mly lighted streets to Aunt Rob's house, and t

TER

THE STORY OF

Gracie,"

replie

which

h of

, seized Gracie's hand. "Come in, chil

ance, but looked at D

ave started on a voyage of discovery, and thi

have the best call to know them, and whose hearts are pretty nigh broken by being kept in the dark. It's time it came to an end. What do you mean by your voyage of discover

stulated, but was no

we mustn't hear, while we're expected to sit mum-chance on our chairs, eating our hearts away? Because we're women, I suppose, and aren't fit to be trusted! Mystery, mystery, mystery, nothing but myste

give you my word, aunt, I

s, you've no right to keep it from

d, and still looked

"Aunt, if you were to beat her black and blue I don't

n't," sa

sarcastically. "I'm in the habit of beating childre

" said Dick, kissing her, "and to have the kindest heart that ever bea

, I

ntered the house, and they were now in the sitting-room, with the gas turned up. "Look at that white face." She pointed to Florence, who was sta

till kept her hand at her heart, and Dick felt that it would be wo

" he said, "but not a word must pass out

ind that gentleman's unsolicited kindness to Gracie's family; after which he related how he and Gracie had entered into partnership t

that was going on this voyage of discovery, and it's my opinion there will be high jinks if we

m," said Gracie, "but his name ai

nder his breath. "Who a

nder, and his na

aid Dick. "Begin at the beginning

t of her story where Dr. Vinsen hailed a hansom cab,

ment of her little brothers and sisters served her in good stead in this story of real life, and, quite unconscious

Why, the man could be prosecuted for practising without a diploma. But, the motive, the motive, the motive? We're getting hol

ing soul that's got a good word for him. I saw the man again they called a jackal, and I got his name and where he lives. Here it is. I bought a sheet of paper and a bit of pencil for a ha'penny, and I put all the names and addresses down, for fear

g at the paper. "What do you think now o

s to Catchpole Square, but you weren't there. Then I came here, and you weren't here. Then I went back to Catchp

explained Dick. "

out he didn't look pleased, and he looked worse when he bought s

d Dick, "and a verdict of wilful mur

g to last night, so I went to the place where the inquest was held, and there I saw him. I saw you,

sn't

ld?" asked Aunt Rob. "I

had, Dick!--I followed him home. He doesn't live fur off, and he keeps an ir

Rawdon, ironmonger,

'that's the guv'nor.' 'Mr. Rawdon?' I says. 'Yes,' he says, 'Mr. Rawdon.' And with that he goes inside with his arms full, and I walks away, for I didn't know what else I could do, when up comes Dr. Vinsen again, almost at the

ll England who could have done as much in so short a time. I'm proud of you, Gracie. No

rt swelling with pride at being

s, light! And there's more behind it that I'll get at before I'm many days older. You don't like secrets, aunt, but this must be kept from Uncle Rob. He might consider it his duty to make a move, and if he does we are done for. You can't

excitement, and they

omise,

ginald is a free man--freely and honourably acquitted, with every one who knows him, and eve

Florence, giving h

fire and water for you." He turned suddenly

shop," replied Gracie, wh

ore?" crie

ma'

you'll find a cake in the larder. And bring up the kettle--I'll make the tea here. Tell the servant to co

. It ain't worth whil

nd a cup placed before Gracie, and bread and butter cut, as quickly as any fairy, though she were light as gossamer, could have accomplished it. "Don't wait for us, Gracie, the bacon and eggs will soon be here--why, here they are!

her mother would be worrying about her, and if they would excuse her she would like to go home. There was a grave look on Aunt Rob's face at mention of Gracie's mother, for she thought of Mrs. Death's conduct an hour or two ago at the Coroner's Court, but she said not

able to come back to-night. Get to bed early, you and Florence, and try to sleep. It will brighten Re

in consequence of her long attendance at the Coroner's Court, and these must be attended to before she retired; she was not the woman to neglect her domestic affairs, and she knew that her husband would feel the happier for seeing a tidy home when he came from his office. She was occupied nigh upon two hours, and then there was a little note to be written to her husband, and laid open on the table, telling him that she was sleeping with Florence, and that he was to sleep in Dick's

up to the bedroom and listened at the door; she would not open it, lest the creaking should disturb the young girl. Sh

ing of a woman in affliction who had heard the voice of God. Balm was in her heart. Truly her house was a house of sorrow, but it was also a house of faith and hope. Who shall sa

to meet his eye when he entered, Aunt Rob stole upstairs to bed, carrying the candle with her. She started when she saw a white-robed f

TER

LE BUSY BEE" OF FRIDAY,

without some new sensation cropping up to overshadow the sensation of yesterday and drive it from the minds of newspaper readers, it is rare indeed that any one startling incident should continue for so long a time to engross public attention. For this reason, if for no other, this extraordinary mystery will be long remembered; but, quite apart from the morbid curiosity which all murder cases bring into play, there are in this case eleme

were the police arrangements carried out that he was conducted into the court by the rear entrance before the general public were aware that he had started from the station. The Court

blic Prosecutor, and Mr. Pall

e should ask for a remand until that day week. The police had not yet concluded their preliminary investigations, and the interests of justice would be best served by the course he proposed to adopt. H

opose to go, your worship. I now as

wo to put to the witness, and a remark to make to the Court." To the

heard, that I had a warrant for his arrest he came

etly with you

e qui

ake any s

sed him to

his repl

k. Until my innocence is proved I

ay in the disclosure of the evidence we have to combat. To arrest a man on a charge so serious without sufficient evidence to support it, and merely because the police deem it necessary that some person should be put on his trial, would be monstrous. I make no complaint against the police, but there have been occasions on which they have erred, and have inflicted cruel injustice upon innocent person

e will do their duty. The case stands adjourne

PTE

APPLEBEE O

nt being from that which those most intimate with him believe him to be. We have seen this exemplified in Dick Remington, who, from an easy-going, irresponsible being, with no definite or serious aim i

he could earn only one of the rewards he was a made man, let alone the chances of promotion. The prospect was alluringly disturbing, and it made Constable Applebee restless and watchful. When a dull man gets an idea into his head it becomes a fixture; to argue with him is time thrown away;

had committed the murder and who had the jewels in his possession, was no other than Mr. Dick Rem

e who had brought so many mysterious crimes to light. What if he, Applebee, could succeed in proving himself Lambert's equal and snatching the

," said Const

in his mind he had not the wit to say good evening in his usual cordial m

nce to it, Applebee noticed a change of manner in Dick which did not exist, and to which he attached immense importance. "He sees that I suspect him," thought

chagrin the following day to see pasted on the door of Sam

ications for Mr. Remington to b

d thought was that this was a move on Dick's part to put hi

e streets all night, I'll take my oath on that. Where was he? Why, where else but in Samuel Boyd's house, packing up the things? He was clerk there once, and knows all the ins and outs of the place. Pond tells me he keeps his room locked, and that his missis is not allowed to go into it even to make the bed. What does he keep it shut up for? Is the property there? A search warrant would settle that, but as things stand there's

lf at Aunt Rob's house, and his knock at t

Remington i

't," replie

where to find h

I c

e be ba

n't k

he had come to the end of h

thing particular?" inqui

ything very

u'll leave

he was being badgered, and repeated, "It's n

ook her eyes off my face. He's gone off to get rid of the jewellery. I'll keep my eye on Catchpole

he more firmly was he resolved to make the arrest when he had the chance. Little did he dream of the ki

TER

IARY OF DAVID LAMBER

March 15

, of Catchpole Square. Arrest made at the door of the Coroner's Court. Had a little s

who showed me very plainly what she thought of me. I may say emphatically that her feelings are the reverse of friendly, and from a woman of strong opinions it is just what might be expected. But t

t the cleverest move I have ever made. Reason why? Because

est him

am indirectly responsible for the issuing of the warrant. More correct, perhaps, to say for expediting its issue. I c

a good turn. A queer way of setting about it, he would say. But it's true, for

uiries, he says. Is sorry he can't come over to London, he says. I am not. I don't want him yet awhile. Keep away, friend Joseph, keep away, till I send for you. There's plenty to puzzle over in this Catchpole Square Mystery without having the other mystery of Louis Lorenz p

aven't a notion what it is. Never mind. I'll back what I know against what he knows, and we'll see who'll get to the winning post firs

of the arrest. Shall have to remain till the remand's granted. There is sure to be a shar

ands on it, as there was no suspicion of the man coming our way. Then there was a report that he was found dead in a wood in Gallicia, shot through the heart. It was in Gallicia he was tried and condemned

n open question that. Then will commence the tug of war. Strange that I have never set eyes on him. I was not in the Corone

k. I must

March 16

y will get muddled. Nothing like system. O

"Why," I said, "you translated his other letters." "They were in French," she replied; "this is in Italian. I don't under

I dare say, to show how superior the foreign detective service is to ours. But I think we could teach you a trick or two, friend Joseph. Off went a telegram to him in French (written, of course, by my wife), requesti

ence better than David Lambert; he has exercised it to good purpose in times gone by. But when a man that you would take your oath is inn

etty plain that he did not mean to allow this case to drag on at the pleasure of the police. They were all in the magistrate's court, Inspector Robson and his wife, and Mrs. Reginald Boyd, and, of course, the prisoner. Upon my word, it looks like injustice to set the word against him, believing what I believe,

Catchpole Square, just to give him the time of day and see how he took it. There I met with another surprise. On the door of Samuel Boyd's house i

hat he isn't," said Applebee, as triumphantly as if we were playing a hand at cards and he had won a trick by fine play. "There's a notice pasted on the door that he's not to be found there; he's gone away on business it says." "Well," said I, "if he's not to be found in Catchpole Square you'll find him at Inspector Robson's house." "No, I sha'n't," he answered, thinking he'd scored another trick. "I've been there, and from what Mrs. Robson said it's my belief she doesn't know where he is." "That's singular," I said, "what do you make of it?" "What do you make

mething. What? Is he hunting for the tiger, and has he got a clue? It seems to

en told to give," I said. "Yes," she said. "To every one?" I asked. "Yes," she said. I slipped my card and a sixpence into her hand. "Put the sixpence in your pocket," I said, "and take my card up to Dr. Pye." Willing as she was to pocket the sixpence I think she would have shut the door in my face if I had left it free, but one leg was inside and one out. "You will get in trouble if you don't do a

liquid of different colours. With the exception of these glasses, the table, and two wooden chairs, the room was bare of furniture. The mantelshelf had not an article upon it, there w

ye?" I

d. "Do not interrupt me; I

l and silent

been unable to ascertain on what precise grounds. It is supposed that he is always experimenting with chemicals and gases, and ignorant people go as far as

study. His eyes are the colour of steel, and I should judge him to be possessed of great mesmeric power. His voice is slow and deliberate; his manne

ith his right, and mixed the liquids. Then he placed t

result of this experiment with an interest as keen as his own appeared to be, and to the exclusion of every other subject. To put it more plainly, he would, in a m

from the glasses, and they met mine. I smiled and nodded at him. He d

ication they gave of what was passing in his mind. When you have any business on hand with a man of that kind, beware. I had no need of the warning, having all my wits about me, and having co

expression. That he was disappointed in my manner I did not doubt; I was not exactly th

I was searching for I needed to look to my safety, so, though I showed no fear, and felt none, I did not move from the spot upon which I had taken my stand on en

colours of the rainbow. Tiny streams of fire ascended fountainlike into the air, and dropped back into the glass; it burnt, I should say, for the space of three minutes, the colours all the time glowing and changing. In a small way I ha

disappeared, and at the bottom of the glass was a small sediment, which Dr. Pye carefully emptied into

itted to see me, as I was engaged upon an exceedingly deli

een successful,"

icum of powder I have collected is in its pr

dest

ss of water is sudden death. But these are matters

such matters are of the deepest interest"--I

ve come to speak. I see by your card"--he refe

well known," I said, a

classes, no doubt. I am be

heard of me he did not succeed. "It is known to others out

hat c

hpole Squ

ake in the daily newspapers, but I found that they distracted my

vidence at the

I stood at my window at three in the morning, some unusual movement in the Square forced itself upon my attention; I recollected that I had used an insignificant little invention of mine, a new kind of flash-light, to ascertain precisely

ot rid of it,

is

Mr. Reginald Boyd has bee

isitor I have had. The young man has been arrested, has he? I trust

news to you, then, that he was brough

e new to me. Wha

and when we take one in hand we don't like to be beaten. I've had to do with

his countenance. "Do you believe, in the

nswered. "

, and I looked upon it as an astonishing remark for him

, and under most suspicious circumstances, as if he were mortally a

emblance he bore to the man I saw in the Square. If attention had not been called to my feeling of astonishme

You came forward in the

oubt

cord. Without b

es

sts of justice that you should co

still I say I might have reflected upon th

the Court without r

!" he e

nly to yourself. May we not ca

a conversation which I would have perferred

mine, D

g for the other to speak, and I wa

reason for evincing so extraordi

gether in confidence, and may say anything to each other without fear. No one can hear us"--(I was not so sure of that, but it suited my purpose to say it)--"and if either of us were called upon to give an account

ery frank,

like to step in my shoes. They would clap their hands in delight if I let the man I arrested slip through my fingers. Well, I don't intend to give them this satisfaction. My present visit to you is partly private, partly professional. Of course, if

not be thwar

ead. May we continue the conversati

an interest in a matter so entirely foreign to me. You see," he added, and I was not s

all circumstantial evidence, and it is really a science, doctor. Where did we break off? I was contending that it would have been wrong for you to have left the Court without speaking of the startling resemblance between Mr. Reginald Boyd and the man you saw coming from his father's house in the middle of the night. It would have been worse than wrong, it would have been criminal. Now, doctor, a man of your penetration could

laugh in his face--which would have been foolish, though I could have done so

ion is at sta

justice; a much more important thi

presence will be necess

You will be served with a no

he

st us, Mr. Pallaret, and my instructions are to make the case in its initial s

ar, I suppos

ain that Mr. Regina

st of my knowle

is a skilful c

e prepare

to throw discredit

on of a smile on his lips

o see whether he would fall into the trap, "because Mrs. Death's evidence as to the tim

, I

Saint Michael's Church strike t

asily be, alarmed as she was

aper, acknowledging in his last replies to me that he was acquainted with the evidence Mrs. Death had given in the Coroner's Court yesterday.

n I lingered. "By the way, might I see that clever li

to you," he replied. "It is

be rid of me, bu

f your house, doctor, that you

ot cordial; but that I judge it seldom

e window you looked out of wh

. It is used as a sleeping apartment

t I should like to see

no difficulty

ht," I sa

I would not be so impolite. I insisted upon his going first, and I followed him, with my right hand in t

e road, slowly retraced my steps till I was within twenty yards or so o

ithout drawing attention upon yourself, till I return. I shall be back in less than h

I had instructed to keep watch on the house until I sent another man to rel

h Pitou is not following a will-o'-the-wisp, there will be

been unable to get the particul

ock at the doo

Letter, in French,

TER

MBERT CONTIN

Mrs. Lambert, caused the English detective profound astonishment and delight. It was in keeping with the literary methods he pursued that he did not insert the lette

ompatriot and Brother-in-arms,' which I look upon as foreign bunkum. I don'

s a chapter, or several chapters, out of real life. It is a feather in one's cap to be connected with such a character--not friend Joseph, but the game we are hunting. Big game. The i

crop which in the present instance, I do not admire. When a criminal is condemned to death in Gallicia don't they

show that he has a fine stiff crop of his own. So have hundreds of

accident or design, he sat with his back to the light. True, he did not shift his chair to place himself in that position, but for all that I decide i

, Lambert broke off

inued his diary, but there was no ref

and she slammed the door in my face. Faithful creature--and well paid for her services, I'll swear. Told the lie with a face of brass, for a lie it was. Dr. Pye was at home. Where is my maid from Norfolk? She was seen to leave the house on Saturday morning. Cab at the door. Small japanned box brought out, containing her wardrobe. Cab drove off with box on th

last night. On each occasion he came at eight o'clock. On Saturday night he remained two hours, last night he remained three. Dr. Pye has not been seen to leave the house. From the tradesmen who call there not

ere was no chance of my putting my leg inside; the door was on the chain. 'I serve this notice upon him,' I said, thrusting the paper into the old woman's hand. 'It is an order for him to appear as a witness at the Bishop

s. Not a word have I addressed to him; I have simply given him to understand in a silent manner

wer, no. The notice of his absence still remains on the house in Catchpole Square. Applebee informs me that the door of that house has not been opened from the day the notice was posted on it. He is keeping close watch upon the h

TER

ERY OF THE

e would probably have had more to say to him, and might indeed have "run him in" as a suspicious character had it not been for the interest he took in the immediate neighbourhood of Samuel Boyd's house, to which particular spot he devoted more attention than was consistent with his duties on the space of ground covered by his beat. The second time Lambert asked him the way to Holborn, the constable proffered a sensible piece of advice, to the effect that the man would be better in bed, to which he was advised to go if he did not wish to get into trouble. "Is that your advice?" ask

t. It was a strange hour to choose for a friendly call, and Dr. Pye was not pleased, but these men were in a certain sense dependent upon each other, and neither could just now afford to open up a quarrel; therefore, when Dr. Vinsen's s

me for a visit," were

I took care to see, before I knocked, that there was no person

n for the remark,

converse in a spirit of confidence. You have wounded me by your suspicions, and you have a de

I saw it at

st incredulously. Dr. Pye p

ight; I developed it this mo

pale as he gazed at the

d?" he aske

step farther in our knowledge of the power of the human will. When I received your letter this afternoon I d

my company. I am n

smiled s

te at the sight

do not deny that I have not your iron nerve

sternly. "I am sick of your whi

stronger

k a cobwebbed bottle of wine, which he handled and opened very carefully. He smiled as he held the glass up to the light, and then drank it slowly, as if it were really the elixir of life which popular

. "As it was you courted danger by taking

y friend. All my life I have found safety in boldness. You accuse me of w

er matters first. Before we go into them, a quest

no chang

disclose

nd is a

with a sneer. "Perhaps you will acknowledge that my plan

he could have given us a clue. Time enough then to have sile

f him now without drawi

e risk." He smiled as he added, "I will insure your safety for a small premium, so we will not waste time

I decline to be placed in a false light." He took out a pocketbook and laid it on the tabl

while to make

nd at ease. You, with your lofty notions and your wild search for the unattainable, you with

s this wo

. Vinsen, with a sly smile. "I must troubl

ct--and they generally are--I may trouble

three years since you and I became a

al. Say three y

rs since you wrote to me in acknowledgment of a circular you received from me.

ou

dd hundred was deducted as pa

paym

to the details. In the course of a few months y

s of each transactio

ad from me, in various sums, at various t

money, not

bling himself to argue the point, "amounts now to a trifle over five thousand

that they are correct, ac

ave it to me in the shape of a bill of sale over these art treasures of yours, for which you have an absurd passion, and which I do not deny have a marketable value, and over every piece of portable property in th

le of the chapter. Samuel Boyd

luctance. "Some six weeks ago, when I was pressi

repayment and threatening to sell m

advantage. You had, you said, secret access to the house of Samuel Boyd, who was in the habit of keeping there considerable su

le smile which accompanied the words did

, who would have nothing to do but to assist in removing the cash and valuables f

spo

party to an act of personal violence. I am a peacea

ceable

could in a moment render a sleeping man so utterly insensible and oblivious to all that was passing around him as to utterly remove every possible

ill with the inscrutable smile on his lips, "i

s," said Dr. Vinsen, sulkily. "

d you were here, jubilant, expectant, greedy for the gold, but yet with a craven cowardice for which I despised you. However, you screwed your courage to the sticking point, and when all the lights in Samuel Boyd's house were extinguished I showed you how I obtained access to the premises. We entered in silence, and undetected; we made our way up the stairs and entered the office which contained the safe. You shook like an aspen, and I left you in the office and went alone into the bedroom, carrying a light. At that very moment Samuel Boyd awoke and started up in bed before I had time to press upon his face the handkerchief which I had prepared to render him unconscious. He sprang from the bed, and the handkerchief fell from my hand. One cry escaped his lips--only one, for my hand was on his throat. But he was strong, a more powerful man than I had

r. Vinsen, in a

me to mask the means by which we had obtained access to the house. The knocking continued, and it was then that the opportunity was afforded me of displaying one of my talents. As a mimicker of voices I am unrivalled, and you are aware of my skill in another histrionic achievement. It was imperative that the summons should be answered, or the neighbourhood might have been aroused. I seized your hand, my dear accomplice

assion," said Dr. Vinse

cognised you, as he had done. Why do you wince? We did murder him, comrade in crime, and are both 'liable to the law for the deed." Quietly as he spoke he seemed to take delight in assoc

gainst

rom such as you. When yours is imperilled there is something of the savage in you;

d of him," said Dr.

r. Pye. "Why give me all the honour

ced for ever," concluded Dr. Vins

ed pounds, and bills, and documents, and books of accounts. The books were valuable to us, for if they had fallen into other hands, it would have been seen that we were both indebted to the man we killed. Among the bills were many of mine, and some of yours. It was not till then that I le

kept them!" cr

very document

y implic

ewels, and a statement of how Samuel Boyd became possessed of them, with other statements which informed us that he was expected to present himself at Bournemouth on the following Wednesday, with the fift

ke into the house on the night you we

of what I am capable, and whether I am fitted to hold command. After what I have seen these five nights past, the image of Samuel Boyd, who lies dead in his grave, would any other man have the hardihood to enter that house? I am a stranger to fear, Ezra Lynn. When our conversation is ended we make search for the lost jewels; it may be the last chance we shall have

nsen, "that that accusati

and we have little time to waste. I will make short work of the conclusion of that night's proceedings. At your suggestion we placed the body of Samuel Boyd comfortably in its bed, and cleared away all traces of the struggle. Your argument was that, as it would become known that Mr. Reginald Boyd visited his father that night, it would be supposed he had adopted the expedient to make it appear that the murdered man died a natural death, and so avert suspicion from himself. It was a lame argument, for the marks of our fingers were on his throat, but I humoured you, as we humour a child who asks a harm

ed Dr. Vinse

teered my way safely over rocks and quicksands far more perilous. Shall I recapitulate the particulars of a later incident in this affair? That it chanced that one of the men summoned on the jury was a person who owed you money which he could not pay; that you he

. Vinsen. "Surely it is not nec

you will. And now, my worthy partner, before we proceed to the house that faces this window, explain what you mean by saying that y

me," said Dr. Vinsen, doggedly. "I cla

nt is impossi

wait any

say you

me to it.

known the world will read the story of a man who greatly dared, of one who loved beauty in its every shape and form, of one who, unblessed with wealth, stopped at no crime to gain it, in order to follow his star, and who, when all was lost--if such a fate befall him--defied his enemies and defeated them in the moment of their victory. You start at the word crime. It is a common word, and I use it in the common sense, but not in the sense in which I view it. All things are justified to men who dare as I have dared. What is the sacrifice of a human life in

lash of lightning pierced a chink in th

cried Dr. Vinsen

peal of thunder at the lightning's heels. Whether the words he had uttered were o

calmer tone, turning from the window. "There is still something f

dy before replying. His nerves were sh

ling trunks made, and inscri

e these shores for another country. The trunks, as you have doubtless ob

em," cried Dr. Vinsen. "Th

w s

Vinsen. "You will not

ill not

d duly stamped on the day you signed it, they became my property if, in six months fr

e you open it. When d

t in my pocket-book t

cument you asked me to sign, and you wrote another at this table, worded somewhat differently. One hundred

azement. The paper was blank, nothing app

aler in any European city you would have been immediately arrested. They have been bought with blood, and there is not a police court that has not a list of them. Priceless treasures! Here are vases, medallions, and bronzes of Benvenuto Cellini, for which collectors would give thousands of guineas, and every one know

*

passages--the footsteps of men in their stocking feet. They reach

ar the raindrops falling, pat, pat, pat. One of the men shudders at a terrifying thought, born of the memory of a night when a murder was committed there. If a human being were on the roof, stabbed to the heart, so migh

man. "Do not raise your

bling man. "There is no

atched. Why do you shrink

ips and face are white. "

office--here is the door--step in, softly, softly! Now, help me move the

d's sak

ash! And now the thunder! List

the candle, crouching

n from the Square. Move this way. Nearer to this dumb image of wax in its hooded chair. It would be a rare

rs to recognise them by that sound. They are standing at the back of the hooded chair, and th

and shakes the chair--so violently that the Charles the Sec

lue being concealed for generations in a cane like this. If this were hollow it could be used for just such a purp

the silver knob at the top of the cane. Bending over it he sees that the letter he pressed

to the gallows if it were found, were 'Notation 2647.' The sixth letter in the alphabet is F." He presses the letter, and the figure 6 appears on the knob. "

nt of excitement his voice does not rise above a whisper. Both men are now in

his broad thumb he presses hard upon the four figu

, exultantly. "They are h

frenzied shriek, for in that momentary flash they see the figure of the Chinaman rise suddenly from its chair. The candle is dashed

TER

LEBEE DISTING

aused him to clap his hand instinctively upon his eyes; the crash of thunder that followed caused him to drop his hand. Then, as though the elements had exhausted themselves, there was a sudden hush, for the sound of the fast-falling rain was faint in his ears after the deafening thunderpeal. So faint, indeed, that, in the belief that the storm was spent, he stepped into Catchpole Square and looked around, distinguishing only the

by the throat, while with the other he raised his whistle to

get free. "Come into the house with me--qu

till, or I'll knock you on the head." And

ered by the respectable mechanic who had twice inq

t upon the new arrival. "Oh, it's you," he said. "I call upo

Lambert, in the half ti

"They will escape, I tell you!

d Applebee, shaking

with?" asked Lambert,

plebee. "The murd

look at him." And to the constable's astoni

u?" demande

said the detective,

it; but don't forget t

of two bull's-eye lamps was thrown upon the

castically. "The murder's out. What's that h

rment was that of a Mongolian, resembling the garment of the wax fi

, look here, Applebee,"

your mouth? We're bound to take you to the station, and charge you. When you're

t in that house are the murderers of Samuel Boyd. For he

e house," remarked App

e to two," urged

lebee, "we shall be two to three. Wha

e danger he was in, "it is not a weapon. I will explain everything

"but we'll see if we can equalise matters." Taking his police call from his p

, to whom the affair was hastily explained; and

and this officer keep watch in the Square while we go into the house. Th

all at the bac

got over before

put in, "there was a

sh marks of a grapnel there." Dick set his teeth; his rope and grapnel were under the bed of

es

an, held out his hands. "Behind your back, Mr. Remington. I am sorry for the necessity, b

rousers'

showed his revolver. "If we're attacked, Applebee, I'll account for the two men. Now, then."

. No person was there, nor in the bedroom. They went through all the rooms in the upper part of the house, with the same result

Applebee aside to him, "b

ut turned to Dick, "Anyw

d that, in addition to other incriminating evidence, there would be found in his pocket the last words written by Samuel Boyd,

cellar?" a

es

at cellars," ob

rt curtly, and the constable w

he kitchen, for he saw that it had not been disturbed since he had last lifted it himsel

e," he said. "Ther

ee, sulkily. "We're only wasting

d to Lambert, in one of those secret glances which to an intelli

s they stood in the passage leading to the street do

rt he had played in the mystery too conspicuous, for him to venture opposition, so, with a dissatisfi

mbert, becoming familiar. His kind tone

leased him. "Thank you. Handle that cane gently, and carry it upright, if you don't care to entrust me with it. You will know why soon. It is worth more than its weight in gold. Do

yourself. Understand me--I sha'n't use anything to your disadvantage unless I have the best of reasons for it. And do

e been in this house since Friday night last, and have sat in that Chinaman's chair whenever I heard a sound outside the room, made up to resemble him. I acted another part,

, Dick, b

and as likely as not I have brought destruction upon them. I waited for my chance in

rt, persuasively. "I am sure that is what you

course I didn't dare to turn my head, or they'd have stuck a knife in me. Do

ng fellow, and great sympathy with him; notwithstanding which he would not commit himself. "Be quick. I'

in whispers, and I only caught a word he

es

retch Vinsen, who is no doctor, but a money-lender named Ezr

d Rawdon. How did the men you

, but now I shall be deprived of my liberty----" He groaned, and clasped his hands convu

done," said L

trong appearances may be against me, and against Reginald Boyd,

ving, Mr. Lambert," calle

moment,

o Bishop Street St

plied Lambert, gravely. "It will be

will he think--what will his dear wife and daughter think?" Dick was suffer

s voice was hea

use that will tell against you--don't speak; I will not listen--I don't ask you that. If anything is found it will be brought forward without fear or favour, and evidence given in a straightforward manner. But it may console you to know, quite privately a

ions to keep watch, one in the front, the other at the back of the house until they were relieved, and t

ing their heads, a dead white face confronted them, its lips sternly compressed. He did not avoid their glance, but it was noticeable that not for a single moment did his own rest upon his nephew. "That is a man," though

said Dick, "I may be all

ot," advis

uld be an admission of guilt, and I am innocent. I wish all

le in attendance outside. In a voice shaken by emotion, but weak from want of rest and food, Dick related as briefly as possible the particular

e my aim was to spare him and those he loved the agony which this additional evidence would have caused them. I felt that time was required to bring the guilt home to those who had committed the crime, and to that task I bent all my energies. I may have erred, but I acted for the best, as I believed, and as I still believe; for even now I do not d

cle Rob was undergoing, overpowered him here, and with a pitiable endeavour to continue, he broke completely down. A long deep sigh esca

Lambert had in his pocket a list of the jewels which Lady Wharton had given Samuel Boyd on the

on's office is not public property. The arrest is not to be spoken of outside. I have heard it said in high quarters that the

jealousy, that's what it is," he said to himself. "He's riled because he didn't make the arrest, and can't claim the reward. If it belongs to anybody it belongs to me, and if they try to do me out of it I'll go to law with them. There's nothing that I know of in the regulations to keep it from me. Anyway, there's the

ess true, of the incidents connected with it, did get about, and the excitement in the neighbourhood of Bishop Street Police Station, where great numbers

PTE

RY OF DETECT

March 1

quite wise of him, but I could no more teach him his business than he could teach me mine. Dick looked better, and fairly self-possessed. The only time he seemed on the point of breaking down, as he broke down in the station, was when he looked in the direction of Mrs. Inspector Robson and Mrs. Reginald Boyd. They almost broke down, too. They were very white and miserable. Inspector Robson looked ten years older, but held up bravely

Pye's house. Asked to see Dr. Pye. 'Not at home.' Detailed two men to shadow the pair of them there. Travelling trunks were delivered at the house a

n't help laughing. He will be scratching his bald pate to get at the meaning of it.

[oe]na on Stephen R

y. I can see the sweat running down his face.

. He won'

good

nd will have a good view of our gentleman. Gives me a piece of information. Says that he had our gentleman in his custody once, and allowed him to slip through his fingers. Very stupid of you, friend Joseph. Says our gentleman is the kind of man who never forgets a face, and that when he sees fr

o identify the jewels. Applebee expects to get the reward. Now, it was Dick Remington who found them. I mentioned this to Applebee, a

TER

BUSY BEE" OF THUR

er, in a brief address, expressed the hope that a sensible and just verdict would now be returned. He would make no comment, he said, upon the singular differences of opinion between them, nor upon the no less singular and unusual form in which those differences were presented to him--contrary, he was bound to add, to all precedent and established mo

ry short time. After a lapse of twenty minutes they agreed upon the verdict of Wilful Murder agains

hrown upon the disappearance of Mr. Abel Death. And in this connection we may further add that Mrs. Death is in deep distress at the disappearance of her young daughter Gracie

ewels has been found, and that her ladyship will at

TER

AGISTRAT

the countenance of Dr. Pye. In marked contrast to his composed demeanour was that of Mr. Ezra Lynn, who, while assuming an air of amused benevolence, was not entirely successful in concealing his inward agitation. No information had reached him as to whether he had been subp[oe]naed as a witness for the prosecution or the defence; he knew that this was irregular, but he did not dare disobey the summons. No token of recognition passed between him and Dr. Pye, although Lambert had man[oe]uvred that they should be seated next to each other. Immediately behind Dr. Pye sat an individual who might have been French or Italian; his swarthy complexion and curled moustache proclaimed him to be certain

low for the prosecution, and Mr. Pallaret for the defence, with the solicitors engaged in the case, and the newspaper reporters, who were so numerous th

ends and solicitors, and their first action now, as they stood side by side, was to hold out their hands in token of hearty friendship and confidence. Upon some of the spectators this friendly greeting produced a favourable impressio

hat the case for the prosecution will be fully disclosed, and in such a comprehensive manner as to enable your worship to decide to-day whether you w

ot be kept hanging over the heads of the accused for an unreasonable length of ti

of the prisoners. I venture to say that there have been few cases of the kind in which the circumstantial evidence is so strong and direct. I would point out to your worship that the case assumes a different complexion from that which it presented this day week. Then there was only one person charged, now there are two, and I shall be able to prove collusion in the committal of a m

of Saturday, the 2nd. My lear

isited his father, for the purpose, as he has himself admitted, of obtaining money from him, he being then, upo

my admitting the visit and its purpose. Mr. Regi

evidence had better be read from the Coroner's not

wish to be read, in proof of the inge

ted to your worship proof of identification of the body, with the Co

man murdered was Mr. Samuel Boyd, and I may state explicitly that ther

ely indeed that any person enters there, and none, unless it be an entire stranger, with the intention of passing through. The entrance to the Square is through a hooded passage bearing the ominous name of Deadman's Court. As I have told you, Dr. Pye was standing at the window--as he will tell you aimlessly, and as I submit in the abstracted mood habitual to students after some hours of secluded work--when he dimly observed the opening of the street door. An incident so unusual and suspicious made a strong impression upon him, and for the purpose of ascertaining the cause he brought forward an ingenious contrivance of his own invention by means of which he is enabled to throw a flashlight a considerable distance upon any desired spot, while the operator remains in shadow. The flashlight revealed the figure of a man standing at the door in an attitude of fear; Dr. Pye distinguished quite clearly the features of this man, who at that time was a stranger to him. The man remained at the door in his fear-struck attitude for several moments; then, the flashlight extinguished, Dr. Pye observed the shadow of a man--the night was dark, and he could distinguish no more than the shadow--slink cautiously and stealthily out of the Square. This was the end of the incident. During the inquest Dr. Pye properly conceived it to be his duty, in the interests of justice, to make the incident public, and he addressed a note to the Coroner, stating that he had evidence of more or less importance to tender. He was called and examined, and the statement he made was to the effect I have described. His examination over, a remarkable incident occurred. Glancing around the Court his eyes fell upon Reginald Boyd, and he was instantly struck with the resemblance he bore to

idence of a witness in relation to the important incident he descri

and will judge of its value. It is not conceivable that Dr.

is conceivable and not conceivable will

duce a witness or witnesses to confirm his statement, and to prove that he did not leave his lodgings again during the night, it would effectually dispose of the peril in which he stands in regard to the resemblance between him and the man whom Dr. Pye saw. But such a witness has not been, and I venture to say will not be, pr

he murder. I do not say that this was the intention, but it is open to that construction. If such an intention existed the design was artful and wicked, and Richard Remington's personal participation in the bill-posting--bill-sticking not being his trade--is open to another construction, that it was done for the purpose of averting suspicion from himself. On the following day, Friday, a notice appeared on the street door of the house in Catchpole Square, which stated that Richard Remington was absent on business, and that all communications for

, which you will recollect is the only approach to the Square. During a lull in the storm the constable stepped from his shelter to reconnoitre the houses in the Square.

TER

TION OF

Detective Lambert came up, and afterwards Constable Pond and another. The prisoner gave no explanation of his singular disguise, but made some rambling statement to the effect that the murderers of Samuel Boyd were in the house. In compliance with his urgent and reiterated requests the officers Lambert and Applebee accompanied him into the house, and made a thorough search, from top to bottom,

uel Boyd on the night of Friday, March 1st, wit

le state of feeling between father and son which strengthens the case against the prisoner Boyd. They were at enmity; each accused the other of robbery or attempted robbery, and matters thus were ripe for violence. Is it too wild a presumption that Remington removed the incriminating document for the purpose of shielding his confederate, and, by implication, himself? The document informed them, also, that Samuel Boyd had not yet made his will, and that if he died that night his son would become heir at law. A strange feature in the case is that the paper was not immediately destroyed, but there are numbers of instances in which criminals have been brought to justice by over-confidence and by their neglect to attend to sma

"Will the da

that burglars unacquainted with the premises had effected an entrance and committed the crime. It is most suspicious that in Remington's evidence at the inquest he made no allusion to the rope and grapnel, although the statement of Detective Lambert was before him. For what other reason than to screen himself could he have been guilty of the suppression? Another piece of evidence will be forthcoming. Before either of the prisoners was arrested Detective Lambert, during his examination of the house, took photographs of the bloody footprints

circumstances, and I think your worship will agree with me that there is no cour

was no escape for them. There were, however, seated at the solicitors' table a few more experienced who judged from Mr. Pallaret's manner t

e evidence was similar to that given at the inquest, and who testified to the executi

ngaged in gettin

der inst

e come into communication

es

or retarded you i

f material ass

n were photographs

of his breaking into the house in Catchpole Square, and gave me his boots. He also showed me traces of a scar on his hand, caused by a wound

ou as if he wished

was quite frank

ies you served subp[oe]na

es

hers, upo

es

device by means of which, according to his statement, he saw a man

es

as his

repair, and he co

Little Busy Bee," and that of Constable Applebee,

not before he had passed a piece of paper to Mr. Pallaret, upon which was scribbled, "If you do not see me in Court delay the pro

ted her jewels to Samuel Boyd, and identified them. Among the questions put to her unde

u gave the deceased on Fr

y are al

he person who personated Samuel Boyd in B

es

ld ident

ld. I wish I had

he balance in the course of the following week, which promise had not been kept. Dick could not understand what his object was in giving this false evidence as to the date of the purchase, unless it were that he conceived himself injured by not obtaining the blackmail he

of power which produced a profound impression among the spectators. In a passionless voice he repeated the statement he had made at the Coro

expressed some doubt as to the prisoner Reginald

ance in past trials of importance, and I conceived i

that you migh

gestion. No man

ed the matter since you appe

hav

trengthened or removed an

ssible doubt that may

Boyd. Can you say now with certa

he is, with

re pos

o startling that there is only the ba

hour. You looked

inctively took my watch from my pocket.

that she was in Catchpole Square at that hour, that she heard the clock of Saint Michae

of it. She i

clock of St. Micha

id n

s all,

his cross-examination, which had been

name i

is my

stian

les S

Have you ever passed

tion is a

ccused of an atrocious crime, one of them the son of the man

ev

u Engli

foreign accent it is to be ascribed to the fact that my childhood was passed a

y good. You speak mo

nch, German,

ld are

say with certainty, as my pare

of Switzerland

parents never informed m

ter of no int

what

va the record of your bi

oba

elf Dr. Do you

am called Dr.

e cou

grown into a fashion. I

these questions rel

sk a question which does not affect the issue." (To the witness.) "I understand t

ply

ersonal inter

on

with a person of t

a

a money

tance with him r

ainted with a person of the name of

es

seen him

n the last

issued a subp[oe]na demanding his attendance. Not being able to asc

es

eceived t

aware th

form us whe

can

is at the pr

ot info

ness with reference to Dr. Vinsen. This man, who had presented himself to her as Dr. Pye's viceroy, who had given her money, who had poisoned her ears against Reginald Boyd and Dick Remington, was sitting within a few yards of her, and yet Dr. Pye denied all knowledge of his whereabouts. What was the meaning of this falsehood? Looking at Dr. Vinsen she saw tha

ntinued his cro

ealed the face of the man you say you saw. A co

es

rought it i

ave

in your

is n

. You refused to show it to Detective Lambert, say

es

of the tradesman w

secret invention, and I will not run

her court we will see that this so-called flashlight is produced. I gather from you that on the night of the 1st of March you were induced to u

distinguished th

been committed. What made you regard as suspicious so

ny one in Catchpole Square

of instinct that whispe

You are drawing upon your

of a man, and your suspicions were aroused. How long a

almost im

ift as your flashlight. Do you keep your de

es