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COL. ROSS OF PIEDMONT,
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COL, ROSS OF PIEDMONT,
BY JOHN ESTEN COOKE,
t AUTHOR OF
'SURRY OF EAGLES NEST," "MOHUN," "HILT
TO HILT," ETC., ETC.
NEW YORK:
CorYUiouT, 1892, BY
G. IV. Dillingham, Publisher,
SUCCESSOR TO G. W. CARLETON & Co.
MDCCCXCII.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
THE STORY OF A CRIME,
I. BROUGHT TOGETHER . g
II. MAURICEWOOD . I2
III. NEW FACES I5
IV. THE CRIME . 24
V. GARY MAURICE . ' 26
VI. Two HILL PEOPLE
VII. AN AGREEABLE ENCOUNTER . ^
VIII. PROF. LESNER
IX. COL. ROSS TAKES A NlGHT
X. DR. HAWORTH DISCOVERS A LIKENESS .
XI. PROF. LESNER'S THEORY .
XII. JEAN BAPTISTE . ^ 8
XIII. COL. Ross ' 6;}
XIV. DR. HAWORTII'S IDEA
PART II.
COL. ROSS AND DR. HAWORTH.
I. DR. HAWORTH is AFRAID
II. COL. ROSS MAKES A MORNING CALL , ^
III. IN THE LOCKED ROOM g ^
IV. SOMETHING HAPPENS
V. DR. HAWORTH AND GARY MAURICE
VI. THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN .
VII. AN OMEN ' IOI
VIII. THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT . ^
IX. MAY AND AUGUST '
X. Miss BURNS IoS
XI. DR. HAWORTII'S CURIOUS FANCY .
4 CONTENTS.
PAGE
XII. Miss BURNS' MAIL-BAG . . . .in
XIII. THE MAIL . . . . . . .117
XIV. THE REWARD FOR HOLDING A LAMPSHADE . . 119
XV. PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE ..... 122
XVI. THE WARRANTS . . . . . .126
XVII. THE CONSTABLE'S RETURN .... 131
PART III.
CONVERGING.
I. DR. HAWORTH ENGAGES THE WIRE TO LIMA . 138
II. DR. SEABRIGIIT ...... 141
III. THE APPOINTMENT ..... 143
IV. THE ENTRY IN THE LEDGER . . . 146
V. THE PSYCHOLOGY OF OPIUM . . . . 149
VI. JEAN RETURNS WITH GOOD NEWS . . .152
VII. THE BOMBSHELL . . . . .156
VIII. MR. TIM MAURICE is OUTRAGED, BUT RESIGNED. . id
IX. DR. HAWORTH HEARS FROM COL. Ross . . 164
X. COL. Ross VISITS MRS. MAURICE .... 166
PART IV.
THE CRIMINAL TRIAL AT ABBEYVILLE.
I. THE PAPERS FROM LIMA . . . .172
II. AN OUTRAGED COMMUNITY . . . .178
III. DR. HAWORTH'S FRIEND .... 180
IV. JEAN'S FRIEND ...... 184
V.. A MAN OF BUSINESS RESTING .... 185
VI. MR. BURDETTE WHISTLES ..... l88
VII. THE OPENING OF THE TRIAL . . . .191
VIII. THE TESTIMONY OF JEAN BAPTISTE . . . 197
IX. DR. SEABRIGHT AND OTHERS ARE EXAMINED . 202
X. DR. HAWORTH'S TESTIMONY .... 209
XL DR. HAWORTH CONCLUDES HIS TESTIMONY . . 216
XII. COL. Ross EXPLAINS ..... 223
XIII. THE MAN ...... 229
XIV. COL. Ross ON THE SUBJECT OF RATTLESNAKES . .231
XV. MR. DUNN INDULGES IN A PROFESSIONAL WITTICISM 236
XVI. MR. BURDETTE BESTOWS HIS BLESSING . . 238
XVII. THE END OF THE TRIAL ..... 241
XVIII. AT PRESENT ...... 244
COL. ROSS OF PIEDMONT.
PART I.
THE STORY OF A CRIME.
BROUGHT TOGETHER.
AT the end of September, 1880, the steamer Argentine Repub-
lic, direct from Buenos Ayres, arrived at New York, and one of the
passengers, registered as Dr. Haworth, Lima, was driven to a hotel
on Fifth avenue, where he made his toilet and dined at his leisure.
Dr. Haworth was a man of about thirty-five, with a face of the
American type, brown hair and heavy mustache, a broad forehead
and remarkable eyes, which seemed to slumber, but were plainly on
the watch. His dress was plain and neat ; the carriage of his per-
son erect and firm. As he walked down the avenue in the after-
noon, people more than once turned to look at him, which is unusual
in so large a town as New York.
Near Madison Square he came into collision with a personage
hurrying in the opposite direction a gentleman of about his own
age, dressed in an elegant business suit, with a handsome face,
smiling lips, hair parted in the middle, and wearing eye-glasses.
" Why, Haworth ! What good wind has blown you to New
York ? " exclaimed this gentleman.
" The south wind, my dear Burdette," replied Dr. Haworth,
cordially shaking hands. " Come and stroll with me, and tell me
the news."
" In a moment." And, having called to a person whom he had
been in pursuit of, Mr. Burdette exchanged a few words with him,
yetumed, and he and ,Dr. Haworth walked down the avenue to-
gether.
.; B KG CC.II T TOGE TIIER.
6
They were evidently old friends, and it was obvious from their
conversation that smiling Mr. Burdette had visited Dr. Haworth at
his hacienda near Lima, and retained delightful memones of the
visit. To his question now what had brought his friend I
York, Dr. Haworth replied quietly :
" To keep an appointment."
" Is it down town ? " asked Mr. Burdette.
" On the steps of the City Hall at seven."
" Well I am going in that direction, and am glad to have you
company.' I am looking up an old gentleman whose work on the
Opium-Habit' I am publishing. I am afraid he is not prac
his precepts, and I think I shall find him at one of the < joii
Mott street."
Dr Haworth made no comment, and, turning out of Broadway,
they were soon near Chatham Square, where, in one of the subti
ranean opium-dens, they found the person of whom Mr. Burde
was in pursuit. He was a gray-haired man of about 60 in appearan
and of mild and benignant countenance. A simple smile made
old face attractive, and he quietly yielded to Mr. Burdette's guidance,
and left the joint. Holding his arm, Mr. Burdette turned
Haworth and said, in a whisper :
" This is a melancholy business. The poor old fellow came
the South to correct his proofs, and fell back into his vice. I have
tried to look after him, as some friends of his placed him in my
charge Col. Ross and Mrs. Maurice."
As these names were uttered Dr. Haworth turned his head sud
denly.
" Col. Ross ? " he said.
" Yes ; do you know him ? "
" I believe so."
" Well, the name of this poor old party is Prof. Lesner, and
his friends are back from Canada on their way South, I will turn
him over to them. They will no doubt be at the opera tonight, and
I will see them."
Dr. Haworth had listened in silence, but it was plain that he was
not losing a word.
Come and go with me," said Mr. Burdette, " and I hope i
distinctly understood that my humble cottage on the avenue is to I
your Headquarters during your stay in New York. My coupe won
compare with that splendid affair of yours at Lima, but-
BROUGP1T TOGETHER. j
" Thank you, my dear friend ; but I leave New York by the morn-
ing train."
"Well, we'll sup after the opera, and I'll try to talk you out of
that resolution."
And the friends parted, Mr. Burdette bearing off the poor old
Professor, and Dr. Haworth going in the direction of the City Park.
On the steps of the hall a young man of 18 or 20 was standing,
evidently on the look-out for some one. He was a slender and
graceful youth, with black curly hair and ruddy cheeks.
As Dr. Haworth approached, and the gas-light fell upon his face,
the youth rushed up to him, seized his hand, and seemed about to
kiss it.
" Excellency ! " he exclaimed, with a French-Spanish accent ;
" Oh, how glad I am to see you ! "
Dr. Haworth 's face had softened, and a bright smile made it
winning.
" I really believe you are," he said, looking with great affection
into the youth's face. " So you expected me ? "
" I knew you would be here between the 2Oth and 25th, as you
said."
" Well, here I am. Now come with me. I have soniething im-
portant to tell you, my dear Jean."
On the same night Dr. Haworth, Mr. Burdette, and Jean were
at the opera. Mr. Burdette was evidently in his element, and ex-
changed nods with a hundred friends ; but Dr. Haworth was evi-
dently waiting for something.
As the curtain rose he turned quickly and looked at one of the
loges. An elegantly dressed man of middle age, tall and command-
ing in person, had just entered with a lady in black silk, and a young
girl with a face full of freshness and attraction. The escort was
relieving the young lady of her cloak when Dr. Haworth looked at
them, and his air was that of a lover.
" These are old Prof. Lesner's friends," said Mr. Burdette indi-
cating the party.
" Yes," said Dr. Haworth quietly.
He touched Jean, who sat beside him, on the arm and said :
" Do you recognize anybody yonder ? "
The youth looked in the direction indicated, and his smiling face
suddenly overclouded. His smooth brow contracted and his eyes
flashed.
BROUGHT TOGETHER.
o
"Sacre!" he muttered unconsciously. ''Yes, yes, Excellency!
1 should be blind not to recognize that man."
" I thought perhaps you might have forgotten him.
I remember him, as he gave me this."
And pushing back his hair the youth showed an ugly sea
forehead, apparently a cutlass stroke.
Dr. Haworth nodded.
-Very well" he said, "we may renew our acquaintance wit
him. We are going in his direction, and as you will be my travel-
ing companion things might so turn out that you would have an
opportunity to get even with him for that cut.
I would like to have the chance," said Jean, knitting his brows.
"Very well. Remember my instructions. See that all
order about the carbines. > After the opera go to the hot,
ioin you there in an hour."
"Yes, Excellency-don't fear ! Oh how glad I am I am goi
with you ! "
The performance was over, and Mr. Burdette went up t
lose and joined the Ross-Maurice party, to whom he bowed wit
great elegance. It was plain that he was informing them on tl
subject of their new traveling companion, Prof. Lesner-probably
urging them to take him home with them. Then they parted with
bows and came into the lobby, where Dr. Haworth awaite
16 As the party passed, Col. Ross did not see Dr. Haworth. It was
impossible to be certain, but a sudden flash of the dark eyes and
flush of the cheek seemed to indicate emotion. As to the f
Dr Haworth, that indicated nothing. He simply moved his hea
slightly as if satisfied, and accompanied his friend Burdet
coupe to his residence on the avenue.
They had an excellent supper, and when his host's
family retired, the friends remained in confidential conversation.
At last Dr. Haworth rose to go.
I will come and see you again before I leave the
said. ,
" You must not fail ; and good luck to you, old fellow !
" Thank you ! "
" You have not told me what takes you South ? "
" I should like to see the country."
" That's strictly non-committal. My own impression i:
MA URICE WOOD Q
you are going to exterminate somebody. Come, tell your friend
everything. A man like yourself doesn't travel for mere amuse-
ment. You are either going to plunge a gory dagger in the recre-
ant heart of somebody, or your mission observe the term is to
penetrate some bloody mystery."
Dr. Haworth unconsciously looked at his friend with quite a
piercing expression, but said nothing.
" You see I've been reveling in the seaside literature, which is
my delight," said Mr. Burdette laughing.
" Do you like that? "
" Don't dodge the question ! Are you or are you not on well,
say a secret mission ? "
Dr. Haworth made no reply. At last he said as he pressed his
friend's hand :
" Did you ever reflect upon the profound significance of one
Word in the English language ? "
" What is that ? "
" Perhaps."
And without adding anything further Dr. Haworth returned to
his hotel.
Jean was waiting for him, and exhibited two carbines in their
cases, with a full supply of ammunition.
Dr. Haworth tried the locks, made them click, and was evidently
satisfied.
"They may be useful down yonder," he said. "And now to
get some sleep."
On the next morning he and Jean took the train for the South,
II.
MAURICEWOOD.
MRS. MAURICE, who had stopped in New York on her way
from Canada, was from the South, and resided at a very old coun-
try seat in what is called the Piedmont region that is to say, the
eastern slope of the long range of mountains extending from Mary-
land to Northern Georgia.
The estate, which had been in the family for some generations,
was known as " Mauricewood." It was still of large extent and very
10
MA URICE WOOD.
considerable value in spite of that subdivision which seems to be the
fate of all landed property in America. The house stood on a hill
rounding off into level fields of great fertility, and a mile to the west-
ward a low range of wooded hills shut in the prospect. In other
directions, however, the view was unimpeded. Several additional
country seats were visible in the distance, and a few miles off was
the Town of Abbeyville, the nearest postoffice.
Mrs. Maurice was the widow of a Mr. John Maurice who had
died many years before. She was tall, delicately beautiful, a person
of great gentleness, and managed her household with a mild good
sense which accomplished a great deal without producing the least
friction. She was very much beloved by everybody, especially her
old servants, who had all remained with her, their emancipation
having apparently produced no effect upon the relations of the mem-
bers of the household. The footfalls were as quiet, the tones as
low and respectful, and it seemed to be the general conviction of
man and maid that their old home and mistress were the best home
and mistress they would be apt to find.
As to the estate, that was managed by Mr. Timothy Maurice, a
bachelor uncle, who had always lived at the place. He was a lively
little fellow, devoted to field sports and to the game of chess. He
was devoted to his niece, Mrs. Maurice, and a careful manager of
her property. What he said was acquiesced in by everybody ; he
was consulted by all ; and indeed what " Uncle Tim " did not know
was generally conceded to be not worth knowing. His personal
portrait may be drawn with a stroke of the pen. He was about 60,
florid, with gray hair, a wiry figure, smiled habitually, and was rapid
in all his movements. Every morning he rode over the estate carry-
ing his fowling-piece for the chance of a shot at something. In the
evening he played chess with Mrs. Maurice or Miss Gary.
Miss Gary Maurice was a fresh-looking little beauty of about 19,
with brown hair, worn in bangs very low on her forehead, large blue
eyes set wide apart, a rosy complexion and an air of cheerfulness.
She had been thoroughly educated by an excellent governess, resid-
ing at Mauricewood, and played and sang very sweetly. She was
rather domestic in her tastes, Kked horseback riding, read all the
novels she could lay her hands upon, and had never cared for any-
body but her immediate family, which might have been owing to
the fact that there were few young men in the vicinity of Maur % e-
wood who were calculated to impress the fancies of maidens.
MAURICE WOOD. H
One suitor Miss Gary seemed to have, or to be going to have
a certain Col. Ross, who lived some miles from Mauricewood. He
was a man of from 40 to 45, but he never alluded to his age, and
his estate was ample. He lived in very handsome style, as his ele-
gant drag, driven by a neat servant and drawn by a pair of superb
bays, indicated. In his appearance he was a mixture of the fine
gentleman and the military man. He was punctiliously polite, wort,
kid gloves and a jaunty hat, and had a delicate black mustache and
imperial, and smiled and bowed frequently. He was said to have
been in the United States Navy, and then to have resigned and en-
tered the Chilian army. He had returned to the States a year or
so before, on a " mission," it was said, connected with the interests
of a guano or nitrate company, engaged in exploiting the resources
of Peru. He was frequently absent in New York or Washington,
but resided a part of the year on his estate, and having seen Miss
Gary Maurice had been presented to her, and was now a tolerably
constant visitor.
Whether his attentions had made any impression on Miss Gary
was not known. It was not unreasonable to suppose that they had
in some degree flattered her vanity, and when people saw the young
lady and her mother leave Mauricewood, during this summer, under
Col. Ross' escort, they said succinctly in provincial phrase, that it
was " going to be a be."
Mrs. Maurice had been persecuted by Miss Gary for a long
time to take a Northern tour. The young lady was dying, she said,
to see Niagara and the Falls of Montmorenci, and as it was always
a very difficult matter for Mrs. Maurice to deny her daughter any-
thing, she finally yielded, and it had been the intention to carry off
Uncle Tim with them. At this Uncle Tim had uttered outcries and
protests. Everything would go to wrack and ruin ; his presence at
Mauricewood was indispensable. The home would burn down,
general destruction would ensue which meant that Uncle Tim
abominated traveling, and thought there was nothing worth atten-
tion beyond the Mauricewood horizon.
He groaned and consented, however, when to his immense relief
Col. Ross called and casually observed that he was about to visit
Montreal on business. When he heard of the project of the ladies
he promptly offered to escort them. He was entirely at their orders.
Hr 'business in Montreal could be attended to in two or three hours.
\ - best route the one he had in fact intended to take was by
J2 MEW FACES.
way of New York, Albany and Niagara, then down the St. Lawrence
by the Thousand Isles, and nothing would please him more than to
return by the historic City of Quebec, which he had never visited.
There was no resisting Col. Ross' cordial and urgent offer.
Uncle Tim nodded significantly to Mrs. Maurice, and she accepted
with thanks. The tour followed. Col. Ross made himself not only
useful, but extremely agreeable, and by' the time they had returned,
to New York on their way southward it became plain that the gal-
lant colonel was very much interested indeed in one of his traveling
companions. If for any reason Dr. Haworth had been curious on
that subject, he might have had his doubts dispelled by the manner
in which Col. Ross had wrapped Miss Gary Maurice's cloak around
her shoulders at the theater. .
When the party reached home, their escort bowed, smiled, and
declared that the trip had been delightful to him, pressed the hands
of both ladies with deferential cordiality, and, entering his equipage
which awaited him, drove away.
III.
NEW FACES.
ABOUT a week after the return of the ladies Mr. Tim Maurice
mounted his horse, fowling-piece in hand, to take his morning ride.
He did not return until late in the afternoon, which was very un-
usual with him, and apologized for keeping dinner waiting.
" The fact is, my dear niece," he said to Mrs. Maurice, as they
sat down to dinner, " I have had quite an adventure."
He then turned to Miss Gary, and said in a low tone, obstructed
by roast mutton :
" A mysterious stranger, Cadie " which was his pet name for
Miss Gary. As the young lady looked at him inquiringly, he said
still more confidentially :
( " Two mysterious strangers ! "
As this was really too tantalizing Mr. Tim Maurice was ordered
to explain himself at onee, which he proceeded to do.
His ride had taken him toward the " hill country," as the wood-
ed range west of Mauricewood was called, and just at the foot of
the hills he had noticed a hawk of great size perched up in a dead
N&iV FAC,-. jv
tree. As he had a great antipatny .o nawks, ne saiQ, owing i.c nis
fondness for spring chickens, he dismounted and crept up to get a
shot at the enemy. When he thought he was in range he leveled
his fowling-piece and fired both barrels in succession, but the hawk
spread his wings and soared off with silent contempt.
" And you call that an adventure, Uncle Tim ? " said Miss Gary,
with derision.
" Wait, my dear never interrupt. The adventure is coming."
" Did the hawk show defiance or laugh in scorn as he soared
away ? "
" Interrupting ! interrupting ! No, he did not even soar away."
" You said he did."
" I said he soared off, which is a different expression from away
a fact you are, perhaps, ignorant of, my angel, owing to your de-
fective education."
" He only soared off, then "
" When he was suddenly arrested in his towering flight, to use
the style of your favorite romances. In other words, he dropped
with a bullet through him. It is unnecessary to say that his fall
was preceded by the crack of a gun, and I saw a light cloud of
smoke rise from some undergrowth near. A gentleman then came
out, followed by a youth, who seemed to be carrying a game-bag,
and went and picked up the hawk. I joined him and he bowed,
after which we indulged in mutual introductions."
" Who was he ? "
" A Dr. Haworth, who has stopped for a few days at old Hunter
Wilson's one of the hill people, you know. He is traveling on horse-
back to hunt and see the country. I invited him to come and visit us."
" That proves to me that he is a gentleman, uncle," said Mrs.
Maurice in her gentle voice. " You are so terribly aristocratic."
" A gentleman ? Certainly he is ; and he shot that hawk with
a bullet from a jewel of a breech-loading carbine. I never saw a
prettier affair."
" Do you think he will come ? "
" He said he would."
" You have not told us about him," said Miss Gary.
" About him ? Oh, you mean his looks that's the first thing
you angelic beings think of. Well, he's good-looking, quiet in man-
ner, and well dressed. His companion was a fine-looking young
fellow, as bright as day."
14 * NEW FACES.
" Well, you are evidently pleased with your new friends, uncle,"
said Mrs. Maurice, " and I shall be glad to see Dr. Haworth."
" I invited him to drop in to-morrow. I think from the expres-
sion of his face that he plays chess," said Mr. Tim Maurice, thought-
fully.
" Then you and he will swear eternal friendship," exclaimed Miss
Gary " that is, if he doesn't beat you."
And the subject of Dr. Haworth having apparently been exhaust-
ed, the conversation busied itself with other matters.
On the next afternoon Dr. Haworth made his appearance at
Mauricewood, and was presented to the ladies. His manners were
marked by a courteous composure, and as Mr. Tim Maurice found,
to his delight, that he was an excellent chess-player, it seemed prob-
able that the eternal friendship predicted by Miss Gary would be
sworn. When the visitor retired, declining the invitation, usual
in the country, to spend the night, the general verdict was flat-
tering.
" Dr. Haworth is a very nice gentleman," said Mrs. Maurice, with
her sweet smile.
" And very handsome," said Miss Gary.
" There ! I said that was the first requisite," exclaimed Mr. Tim
Maurice. " Yes, he is both a gentleman and a fine-looking man ;
but he is more than that he plays a number one game of chess ! "
The acquaintance between Dr. Haworth and the inmates of
Mauricewood having begun in this simple manner soon became
friendly and unceremonious. The guest was apparently pleased
with his sojourn in the upland region, and took long excursions on
foot or horseback to places in the vicinity ; but his evenings were
generally spent at Mauricewood. He played interminable games of
chess with Mr. Tim Maurice, and was very quiet and courteous in
his demeanor to the ladies. One evening after his departure Mr.
Tim Maurice said :
" I have invited Dr. Haworth to make us a visit, but he has
refused."
" We should be glad to see him," said Mrs. Maurice, " he is very
agreeable."
" What do you say, Cadie ? "
" It is a matter of indifference to me. He refused, you say ? "
" Yes, he is afraid of giving trouble, though I assured him he
would give none at all."
THE CRIME. 15
" Very well," said Miss Gary. " I suppose there is an end of it."
" I shall invite him again shall I, my dear niece ? "
" Of course, if you wish, uncle," said Mrs. Maurice.
" What do you say, Cadie ? "
" If you choose," said Miss Gary, with the rising inflection on the
word choose.
IV.
THE CRIME.
ONE day Dr. Haworth rode to Mauricewood and found Mr. Tim
Maurice just back from his morning ride. The ladies had driven
out, and the duties of host having thus devolved solely upon Mr.
Maurice, he received his visitor with unusual cordiality.
" Glad to see you, my dear Doctor no one could be more wel-
come," he exclaimed ; " come in. Sorry the ladies are not at home,
but they will soon return."
Dr. Haworth bowed courteously, and looked up at the old man-
sion with its stacks of chimneys, its long rows of stone-capped win-
dows, and the nearly encircling veranda.
" These old houses have a great attraction for me,'" he said. " I
was admiring the grounds and old oaks as I rode up. There is the
charm of age and permanence about such places ; the interior ar-
rangements only are sometimes defective."
" Mauricewood is a very well-planned establishment," said Mr.
Tim Maurice, " and if you wish I will show you through it."
" I confess I should like to look at it," said Dr. Haworth, " if ft
would not annoy the ladies."
" With pleasure nothing would please me better."
And taking Dr. Haworth 's arm the old gentleman entered the
house.
" You see the general plan is an L," he said, " only the base line
is to the left. On the right here you have the drawing-room, and
behind it the dining-room. To the left are two chambers, a large
one in front and a small one in rear, and the winding staircase in
rear of the hall leads to the second and third floors, on which other
chambers open."
" An excellent arrangement, as the main hall is left unincum-
bered," said Dr. Haworth.
1 6 THE CRIME.
" Excellent there is nothing I like more than a good, broad hall,
with a lofty ceiling, oak cornices and oak floor scrubbed until it
shines. We manage to keep up the scrubbing. The old people
there on the wall would turn pale if it was overlooked." He laughed
and rubbed his hands. " There is a great deal of fine wainscoting
and other woodwork in the various rooms," he said, " particularly in
that to the left of the hall."
" I should be pleased to look at it," said Dr. Haworth, walking
with a matter-of-fact air toward the room in question, and laying
'his hand on the knob. The door was locked.
"I am sorry I cannot show you that room," said Mr. Tim
Maurice rather sadly. " It is never opened."
" Never opened ? "
" My poor brother James was murdered in that room."
" Your brother murdered ? "
"Yes, yes, my dear Doctor a melancholy family affair. The
room has been closed for nearly twenty years no human being has
entered it."
Dr. Haworth remained silent, and his companion wiped his fore-
head with a red bandana handkerchief, as if endeavoring to remove
some unpleasant memory.
" I see you are surprised," he said, "and nothing is more natural.
But the fact is just as I state. My'elder brother, James Maurice,
was murdered in that chamber during his sleep, and it has never
been occupied by any one since that time."
" You interest me deeply. I need not say that I am also a little
shocked," said Dr. Haworth. " Who was the murderer, and what
was his motive ? "
The old gentleman shook his head sorrowfully, and replied :
" The whole affair is a mystery to this day."
" Was no one suspected ? "
" Yes, unhappily. I say unhappily because I do not believe that
the person charged with the crime had anything to do with it."
" Who was the person ? "
" A Mr. Ducis of the neighborhood, one of the most honorable
men I have ever known."
" How could such a person have been accused of murder and
cowardly murder, since you say that Mr. Maurice was murdered in
his sleep ? "
" It is an old story and a very sad one, Doctor," said Mr. Tim
THE CRIME. 17
Maurice, sighing. " None of our family ever believed that Mr. Ducis
was guilty."
" Was he formally charged with the crime ? "
" Yes."
" Tried ? "
" Yes."
"And ?"
" Found guilty on what seemed to be very strong circumstantial
evidence."
" Well, that is a gloomy incident of your family history, Mr.
Maurice," said Dr. Haworth. " I have always felt an interest in
such things but it would perhaps be painful to you to dwell further
on the subject."
" Not at all," said Mr. Tim Maurice, " it is rather sad, but I will
tell you the circumstances it will not take long. The owner of
Mauricewood at that time was my brother James, and the household
consisted of himself, his wife, and daughter the present Mrs.
Maurice, who kept her own name by marrying her first cousin, John
Maurice. I was also one of the family, as I never cared to marry.
Well, my brother was a man of about 60 at the time, and of very
social temper, but, when aroused, his passions were hot. He lived
with great elegance and was careless in money matters ; so it hap-
pened that when his daughter Ellen came to be married he was very
much troubled about her dower. Young John Maurice, her intended
husband, was only moderately well off, and my brother was anxious
under the circumstances to assist the young couple in beginning
life."
" A natural wish," said Dr. Haworth, who listened with attention.
" Certainly. Well, there was trouble about that. My brother
had no ready resources, and a mortgage on his land was not to be
thought of it was opposed to all the traditions of the family. He
therefore had recourse to a friend who had borrowed a considerable
sum of money from him, a Mr. Ducis."
" Yes."
" Mr. Ducis, it seems, resented this, or perhaps took offense at
some fancied slight conveyed in the tone of my brother's note to
him. However that may be, he had an angry interview with my
poor brother on the subject, and was said to have denounced him
as a skinflint, or in some other insulting manner. He would pay the
amount, he said, if he was compelled to sell every acre of his land ;
!g THE CRIME.
and he did dispose of a considerable tract, it seems, and paid the
amount of his indebtedness in gold and bank-notes. An unfortunate
altercation occurred on this occasion. From words the old friends
came to blows, and then some bystanders dragged them apart."
" An unhappy affair."
" A most unhappy one, considering the characters of the two
men, and their long friendship. Mr. Ducis was universally respect-
ed. He was a man of elegant culture and an enthusiastic student
of mineralogy and geology ; most amiable, like my brother, when
nothing occurred to irritate him ; and here the two old friends had
come to a personal struggle, calling names and striking blows at
each other. Well, well, Mr. Dacis went away in a rage, declaring
that he would have my brother's blood."
" An unfortunate expression."
" Yes ; but to end my sad story. The scene between my poor
brother and Mr. Ducis occurred a few days before the marriage, and
the day for the ceremony came. As Ellen was very popular she
had received many presents, a portion of which were laid out in the
apartment yonder, now closed, and in the evening the ceremony took
place.
" A great number of friends attended, and the house was full of
merriment to a late hour, when the guests finally departed. Well,
everybody had retired, and the whole establishment was silent, when,
just as I was going to bed, about 2 in the morning, I heard a cry
from the lower floor. I ran hastily down, a'nd hearing groans from
the room yonder, hastened toward it. I knew they must proceed
from my brother. During the afternoon the bride's chamber had
been changed she preferred one up stairs and my brother, who
habitually slept in this room, returned to his own apartment."
" Yes."
" I ran in and saw a fearful sight. My brother was stretched
groaning upon the bed, with the clothing thrown about as if in a
violent struggle his wife had started up, shaking with fright, and
well-nigh paralyzed, it seemed, by what had occurred. The glim-
mering night-taper showed me all this."
" It must have been shocking."
" It was really frightful. I ran into the dining-room for some
brandy, and I was hastening back when I met a person coming out
of the room. This was a Mrs. Pitts a woman who performed the
functions of a sort of head servant, and was kept because she was
THE CRIME. !Q
useful, not because she was much liked. When she saw me she
stopped and stared at me in silence. I noticed that both her hands
were under her apron.
" ' What do you mean by standing there in that idiotic way ? ' I
said.
"She only made some muttered reply as I hurried by her into
the chamber. My brother was dead."
The old gentleman drew a long breath as if the memory of the
scene oppressed him.
"But what was the manner of his death and who was the
murderer ? "
Mr. Tim Maurice shook his head.
" One question is nearly as difficult as the other. But there was
reason to believe that my poor brother had come to his end in a
peculiarly barbarous manner."
" Barbarous ? "
"That he was struck heavily with an iron instrument on the
temple or behind the ear such an instrument was found on the
floor."
" What was it ? "
" A small hammer, such as amateur geologists use in their ex-
cursions."
" Geologists ? "
" Yes, and the only one in the country was Mr. Ducis'. He
habitually carried such a hammer in his rides to chip off specimens
of rock, and the one discovered on the floor was supposed to belong
to him."
" That was fatal."
" It was not all. The murderer had evidently entered from the
veranda the window was open. On the veranda was found a buck-
skin riding-glove such as Mr. Ducis generally wore."
Dr. Haworth shook his head.
" That ended all reasonable doubt, I suppose."
" There was even more. The amount paid in gold and bank-
notes by Mr. Ducis to my brother, which had been placed on a table,
had disappeared."
" Murder and theft combined," said Dr. Haworth.
" The only question was, who had committed the murder and
the theft."
' " Could there be any doubt ? " said Dr. Haworth, in a tone show-
2Q THE
ing some surprise. " You stated, sir, I remember, that your family
never believed Mr. Ducis to be guilty but how could they doubt it ?
I concede that the evidence was purely circumstantial, but then cir-
cumstantial evidence, when it is cumulative, is of irresistible force.
It is a chain which grows stronger with every link which is added."
Mr. Tim Maurice sighed and said :
" That appears reasonable, but
" Consider, sir," said Dr. Haworth, interrupting him with the air
of a man anxious to establish his point, " two friends have an alter-
cation ; a violent quarrel follows ; one is heard to say that he will
have the other's blood ; and the murder follows, committed by
means of a weapon the ownership of which is traced to the man
who has made the threat. Then his glove, too, is found near the
spot, and the money paid by him in the morning has disappeared.
Is it possible to doubt that Mr. Ducis is the criminal, and that he
meant what he said when he uttered the word ' blood " ? He no
doubt knew that his enemy habitually slept in that room, which was
accessible from the veranda, and duly committed the murder and
robbery."
Mr. Tim Maurice sighed again :
" What you say is very much like the reasoning of the prosecut-
ing attorney on the trial," he replied, " but
" The evidence justified his theory did it not ? " said Dr. Ha-
worth with an air of conviction.
" Well, the array of circumstances, I am afraid, was very strong.
It was shown that poor Mr. Ducis had been obliged to sacrifice his
property to raise the money ; that he had spoken with violence when
he said that he would have my brother's blood and had even used
similar expressions to others after the quarrel."
" The only weak point," said Dr. Haworth, thoughtfully, " is the
improbability that a pepson of the character you attribute to Mr.
Ducis an honorable gentlemen would have disturbed the money."
Mr. Maurice sighed again.
It seemed that sighing was to be a stated performance of Mr.
Tim Maurice's during the interview.
" Unfortunately there was evidence as to that, too," he said.
" As to the theft ! the money ? "
" Mr. Ducis was heard to say that he would recover the amount."
Dr. Haworth shook his head.
" I am afraid that concludes the matter," he said. " It is true
THE CRIME. 21
Mr. Duels may have spoken hastily, and in a moment of passion or
may have merely intended to say that he would ' recover at law '
from some one, on the plea of a forced and unfair sale of his prop-
erty. But the conjecture is vague, and could have had little force."
" It was urged by his counsel, who stated that such was his
meaning ; and further, that the threat to have my brother's blood
meant a personal encounter a duel."
" A natural explanation but the hammer and the glove?"
" He denied that the glove belonged to him."
" And the hammer the murderer's weapon ? "
" He acknowledged that it was similar to one he was in the
habit of using he had two or three like It but was unable to ex-
plain how his own if it was his own had got into my brother's
chamber."
" A fatal circumstance. Was no other defense set up but this
general denial of the charge ? "
" One strong plea an alibi."
" Ah ! an alibi ? That is a very strong plea, indeed, Mr. Maurice,
as it makes all others unnecessary. Was it established ? "
" Unhappily it was not. Mr. Ducis alleged that on the night of
the murder he was in an adjoining county. He had ridden to a
warehouse on the railway, about fifteen miles distant, to purchase
some fertilizers, and after doing so, as it was late in the evening, he
had spent the night with a friend in the neighborhood."
" If he could show that his innocence was established. Could
he?"
" He failed to do so I will explain. When sworn on the trial, the
friend with whom he had spent the night was unable to testify posi-
tively as to the day."
" But the warehouse man the purchase of the fertilizers ? Some
record must have been made of the transaction."
" Yes Mr. Ducis stated that he had made the purchase en the
evening of the 7th of May, the date of my brother's murder, which
took place the same night. When the ledger at the warehouse was
examined, the date of the purchase was found to be the 8th.
" That was conclusive, unless "
Dr. Haworth stopped and seemed to be reflecting.
" What do you mean, Doctor ? "
" A curious idea occurred to me. Observe that the question is
the guilt of Mr. Ducis or some unknown person since the fact of
22 ' CARY MAURICE.
the murder was established. If Mr. Duels did not commit the
crime, somebody else did."
" That is unanswerable."
" Well, now, adopt the theory that this some one wanted to
shield himself by sacrificing Mr. Ducis. He obtains possession of
or provides himself with the glove and hammer and places them
near the scene of the crime. Then discovering afterwards that Mr.
Ducis could prove an alibi he takes steps to defeat that. The real
murderer learns the object of his victim's absence- from home
follows and ascertains the purchase of the fertilizers obtains access
to the warehouse books, and alters the date. Erasure is easy, and
when skillfully executed is difficult to detect."
Mr. Tim Maurice sighed once more.
" The ledger was produced in court, and there was no sign ol
any erasure," he said.
" Then the plea was necessarily of no effect it was probably
the last resort of a desperate man. All was traced home to him
his motive accounted for. Who other than himself could have hai>
any inducement to commit the crime ? Were there any other ar-
rests ? "
"Two the woman Pitts, and my brother's manager, a man
named Wilkins."
" Indeed ! On what grounds ? "
" That the woman, who was noted for her avarice, had known
of the presence of the money in my brother's chamber, and had con-
cealed herself with the view of robbing him. You will remember
that I saw her come out of the chamber apparently concealing
something under her apron."
" But the murder? She could scarcely have committed that."
" It was supposed that Wilkins was her confederate, and executed
that part of the plan. He and my brother disliked each other, and
the man was about to be discharged. The supposition was that he
had entered into a conspiracy with the woman Pitts to murder my
brother and carry off the money ; that each had borne their part
he had entered the window and struck the blow, while she had seized
the money on my brother's night-table ; then that, hearing me com-
ing, he had escaped and she had hidden behind the bed-curtains,
and was attempting to get away when I came back with the
brandy."
" The theory was plausible. What proofs were there ? "
THE CRIME. 23
*
" None at all. The woman stated that she had heard my
brother cry out, and hastened to the room, which she was leaving in
horror when she met me ; and the man's presence was not shown.
Accordingly, connection in any manner with the murder was not
established, and the two persons were discharged."
" And Mr. Ducis ?"
Mr. Tim Maurice uttered a deeper sigh than any that had pre-
ceded it.
" He was convicted, and on the day succeeding his conviction
was seized with paralysis, the effect, no doubt, of mental anguish,
and this terminated life a few weeks later."
Dr. Haworth remained silent for some moments, evidently re-
flecting upon this singular tissue of events.
" Well, that is a gloomy story," he said at length, " and I am not
surprised to find that the chamber yonder is closed. The associa-
tions with it must be painful. The elder Mrs. Maurice, I suppose,
never again occupied it ? "
" Never. The murder of her husband had a fatal effect upon
her. She was an invalid at the time and went into a decline, from
which she never recovered."
t " She could give no testimony in relation to the murder ? "
" None when she started from sleep she saw her husband was
dying, and no one was in the apartment."
" A curious and tragic affair. It is not to be wondered at that
it profoundly shocked her."
" It even produced an unfortunate effect upon her daughter
Ellen I mean my niece, the present Mrs. Maurice and the death
of her husband was an additional blow."
" Of Mr. John Maurice ? "
; " Yes, he died a year or two afterwards. An unlucky family,
you see," said the old gentleman mournfully. " But then, time does
its work, and the sun has come out again. My niece and little
Gary take a cheerful view of things, and my own temperament is
sanguine and hopeful. Perhaps it would have been better not to
tell you these old troubles ; but you asked me about them there is
the carriage coming back."
The family vehicle was seen mounting the hill, driven by its sedate
old coachman, and Dr Haworth went out and politely assisted the
ladies as they emerged from it. As Miss Gary gave him a bright
glance, he seemed well repaid for his trouble.
24 GARY MAURICE.
V.
GARY MAURICE.
DR. HAWORTH spent the day at Mauricewood, and his quiet
courtesy made an agreeable impression. In the afternoon he and
Miss Gary Maurice conversed on the veranda.
She was leaning back in a camp-chair, her resetted slipp^
just emerging from the skirt of a painfully pulled-back dress
with her large blue eyes under her brown bangs she lookeu
pretty.
" So you like our country ? " she said to Dr. Haworth smiling. <
" I like it very much," he said.
" I think uncle told me you lived in South America."
" Yes, near Lima, in sight of the Cordilleras of the Andes. The
country is peculiar, and differs from this."
" But you prefer it, I suppose, as it is home ? "
" South America can hardly be called my home. I have no ties
there, and am a native of the United States."
" If you have no ties I think you ought to come home then,"
said Miss Gary, smiling.
" I shall no doubt do so sooner or later," he said. " I am not
specially fond of Peruvian society, and see very little of it. My chief
resource is reading."
" A delightful resource ! " exclaimed Miss Gary. " You prefer
novels, of course ? "
" I prefer criticism and biography. May I ask what you read ? '*
" Chiefly trash," said Miss Gary, laughing.
" Do you like it ? "
" I am wrapped up in it ! I have piles and piles of those dear
' library ' books I mean those cheap ones ! They are full of Sir
Edwards and Lady Evelyns, and my tastes are properly cultivated.
I am strictly English ! "
" Then you are not American ? Why not read American litera-
ture ? "
" There is none, or it is so stupid ! That is, it is so dreadfully
well, American ! Think of the delightful ruins, and the haunted
towers, and mysterious strangers ! My dear English novels are full
of that ! Of course it is all fearfully absurd, but it serves to pass the
time."
GARY MAURICE, 2 $
" I see you are romantic, Miss Maurice. I am a stranger, but
what a pity it is I am so commonplace and unmysterious."
"It is unfortunate," said Miss Gary, smiling ; "but you know
real life is always commonplace."
" I am not so sure of that," said Dr. Haworth ; " you make me
think of what your uncle told me this morning the strange story
of the locked-up room here."
" It is very sad," said the young lady. " So uncle told you ? "
" Yes."
" It was before I was born, but I have often heard about it."
" What conclusion did you arrive at ? "
" What conclusion ? "
" Who was the real criminal Mr. Ducis ? "
" Oh, no ! I am sure he was not. Mamma says it is impossi-
ble. She was acquainted with him, and very fond of him."
" But there was a criminal who was he ? "
" I do not know."
" You are certain Mr. Ducis was innocent ? "
" Perfectly certain. I never believed a word of it."
" That proves, at least, that you have a generous nature ; almost
all women have."
" But I am not a woman ! " protested Miss Gary. " I am an ex-
school-girl only ! "
" Yonder is the proof that you are not regarded in that deroga-
tory light," said Dr. Haworth.
Miss Gary looked in the direction indicated by her companion's
finger and saw Col. Ross coming into the grounds. His elegant
drag, driven by a liveried servant and drawn by a very fine pair of
horses, was just passing through the gate, flanked by its lofty white
posts with ornamental tops.
" Col. Ross is a friend, I believe ? " said Dr. Haworth.
" Yes," returned the young lady, with the rising inflection.
" No more? But the question, I confess, is unceremonious, and
I hope you w : ill pardon it, Miss Maurice."
Miss Caiy Maurice made a little salute with her bangs in return
for Col. Ross' bow he was nearly at the door. She then turned to
her companion and said innocently, " Did you ask if Col. Ross was
a relation ? None in the world. I have never heard of any connec-
tion between the Rosses and the Maurices."
Dr. Haworth said no more, and as Miss Gary rose to receive
2
26 T WO HILL PEOPLE, '
her visitor, who was now on the veranda, her companion rose
also.
Dr. Haworth's expression was entirely composed, Col. Ross' very
different. A sudden glance indicated that the two men were not
strangers..
" A pleasant evening," said Miss Gary, who had held out her
hand.
Col. Ross bowed low as he received it and said :
" Very pleasant, indeed I really enjoyed my ride."
" Dr. Haworth, Col. Ross," said Miss Cary.
The two gentlemen bowed, and as Mr. Tim Maurice made his
appearance at the moment, general conversation followed. Miss
Cary seemed to be in excellent spirits, and concentrated her atten-
tion upon Col. Ross, having apparently forgotten Dr. Haworth's ex-
istence. That gentleman, however, did not seem to observe the fact,
conversed for a while with Mr. Maurice, and finally took his leave.
As he rose to do so, Miss Cary turned quickly and said with a
charming smile :
" You are not going ? "
" I regret to be compelled to do so," said Dr. Haworth, bowing.
Miss Gary's face expressed mild regret, and the visitor then de-
parted. As he rode away he said in a cold voice :
" I wonder if she cares for that man ? I saw that he recognized
me."
VI.
TWO HILL PEOPLE.
IN a gash of the hills some miles west of Mauricewood was a
poor and mean-looking house, in a small yard surrounded by a dis-
mantled fence, with a pig-sty near the door, a cur in his kennel, an
ashbank beside it, broken utensils lying about, and some soiled
clothes hanging out of a window with broken panes.
In the single room of this house, which conveyed an- impression
of utter pauperism and steady decay, sat a woman whose appear-
ance accorded with her surroundings. She was tall and gaunt,
with long gray hair falling in tangled masses upon her shoulders,
her dress faded and slatternly, her huge feet thrust into list shippers
bursting open at the seams. She was seated upon a low stool,
TWO HILL PEOPLE. 2 /
resting her bony chin upon her two long hands, and her bony
elbows in turn on her knees. Beside her was a wash-tub under
the window, in which there was scarcely a fragment of glass. She
was watching some bacon frying in a pan in the stone fireplace.
"You, Job Wilkins ! " she shrilled.
No reply came.
" You worthless hound ! "
Still silence.
" Now, you make out you don't hear me ! Come here, I say ! "
Steps approached ; a snarl came from the cur and a shadow ran
across the floor which the woman evidently observed, for she growled
in great ill-humor :
" You are not worth your salt ! What do you mean by slinking
off whenever my ye's not on you to that doggery and sponging on
people for liquor to drink and leaving me here to do your work ? "
She turned round to add the fire of a pair of bloodshot eyes to
the force of her invective, but the newcomer was not Mr. Job Wil-
kins, but a well-dressed stranger Dr. Haworth, in fact.
" Good morning, madam," he said, bowing.
Women never cease to be women that is to say, something
good remains in them. The surly face relaxed, and the woman rose
with an expression of surprise.
" I have been hunting in the hills," said the visitor, who carried
a carbine under his arm ; " and am thirsty."
In response to this appeal to her hospitality the woman presented
him with a gourd of water taken from a bucket on the window-sill,
and with an attempt to suppress the natural gruffness of her voice,
asked him if he would not sit down and rest.
" Thank you, madam," he said, taking a chair with a broken
leg, which cracked as he seated himself. A commonplace colloquy
of a few minutes followed, the woman having resumed her stool.
" Your place here is rather lonely," said the visitor. " I suppose
you rarely hear any news."
" Not much," said the woman.
" There is very little stirring at present. The only topic of inter-
est has been the great murder trial in Pennsylvania."
" A murder trial ? "
" Yes, a curious case."
The visitor put his hand into his pocket as if reaching for
something;.
28 TWO HILL PEOPLE.
( " I have left my newspaper at home," he said, " but I can tell
you the substance of it. A Mr. , Mr. , well, the name is not im-
portant was charged with the murder of a friend of his, who had
just received a large sum of money."
The woman turned her head and listened attentively.
" The owner of the money was waylaid, it seems, as he was riding
along a wood road and killed by a blow on the head, apparently with
the butt end of a riding-whip."
" You don't say ! "
Dr. Haworth, who glanced carelessly at his companion, saw her
turn a little pale that is to say, as pale as her dirty complexion
permitted.
" Yes there seemed to be no doubt that his death took place in
that manner, as there was a bruise on his left temple ; but an addi-
tional circumstance supported the idea."
The woman was looking at him with eyes wide open, unwinking.
" A riding-whip with a heavy leaden handle was found not far
from the corpse. Whether dropped by the murderer or wrested
from his hand by the murdered man, in the struggle, was not known.
It was ascertained, however, to be the property of a neighboring
farmer, who was thereupon arrested."
" He was the man, was he ? " the woman said, in a low voice.
" The strange fact is that he was not," replied Dr. Haworth, in
a matter-of-fact tone.
" You don't tell me ! "
Listening carefully he could perceive that the woman was full of
suppressed excitement.
" The owner of the whip was proved to be innocent. It was
shown that on the day of the murder he was twenty miles off, and
could not have committed it."
The woman had again rested her chin on her hands and her
elbows on her knees, half turned away from her visitor. As she
made no reply he went on.
" The real murderer was discovered by the merest accident," he
said, " and the facts brought out on the trial proved that he was a
skillful fellow. He had an enemy the man first arrested and
meant to throw suspicion on him. He therefore bought a riding-
whip precisely like that always used by his enemy, and cut the first
letters of his enemy's name on the lead butt. He left this whip at
the spot after committing the murder the innocent man was of
TWO HILL PEOPLE. 29
course arrested and if he had not been able to prove the alibi, as
it is called, he would have died on the gallows, for he and the mur-
dered man were known to have quarreled a short time before, and
he had been heard to make threats that he would have his blood."
The woman's face was now of a dead-ash color, and she was
shaking a little.
" Well ? " she said, in a guttural tone.
" I see you are interested," continued her visitor, " and perhaps
you would like me to tell you how the real murderer was discovered."
" Yes," the single word was uttered in a whisper.
" It was very simple. The murdered man had drawn the money
from the bank on the same day part in gold and part in notes. As
he intended to make a large payment to one of his creditors he took
one hundred dollar notes, and for safety requested the bank cashier
to take down the numbers. You may not have observed, madam,
but every bank-note has a particular number, and can be tracked if
it is stolen. Say that I have a bundle of such bank-notes, and you
or any one murder and rob me, then if the numbers are known, and
you try to pass the notes, an officer of the law asks : ' Where did
you get these notes ? ' '
The woman got up to turn the meat without looking at her
visitor. .
" That was just what happened in this case," he said ; " the
bank-notes were traced by their numbers to the real murderer, who
attempted to pass them ; he was arrested, and other circumstances
were discovered which brought home the crime to him."
As Dr. Haworth said this a man came in, looking sidewise at
him. This look was so sullen that the visitor unconsciously moved
his carbine in such a manner as to be able to use it promptly. The
new comer was, in fact, a" most unpleasant-looking personage. He
was tall, strong, slouching, with a hang-dog look, a wide mouth
fouled with tobacco juice, and had the watchful eye of a beast of
prey. As he had approached in mute silence it was probable that
he had heard a part or the whole of the conversation.
" Sarvant, sir ! " he said, ducking his head and taking off a brown
rag which served for a hat.
" The gentleman came for some water to drink," said the woman,
in her gruff voice, but Dr. Haworth discerned a tremor in it. His
attention, however, seemed to be concentrated upon the man, whose
.hooked fingers, with their dirty nails, resembled the talons of a
3 o TWO If ILL PEOPLE.
hawk. He knew that this man was the former manager of Mr.
James Maurice, and that the woman now his wife apparently was
the former Mrs. Pitts, who had been seen coming out of the cham-
ber ot the murdered gentleman with her hands under her apron.
He had tried the self-possession of the woman he proceeded now
to test that of the man.
The conversation which ensued lasted for half an hour. It re-
sulted in nothing. The man Wilkins was either innocent, or a mas-
ter of dissimulation. In the most natural manner he alluded to his
poverty-stricken condition. The worst of it was that he couldn't
please his wife. He had been well-off once manager for a 'Squire
Maurice, who was the best gentleman in life, but so hot-tempered
and hard to please that he had to leave. Not that he had anything
against 'Squire Maurice he had nothing against him, and when
some villain murdered him, which was done, he, Wilkins, had been
struck all of a heap. He didn't mind telling that he himself had
been charged with the murder, but some low folks done it, which
the court discharged him immejiately. Then Mr. Wilkins looked
with interest at the frying meat.
There was nothing to be gained by remaining longer, and Dr.
Haworth got up and went away with his carbine under his arm
toward his horse. Something was meantime passing in the cabin.
The man had gone to a closet under the stairs in a corner, caught
out a gun, and said to the woman, as he cocked the weapon
" What do you say to givin* him a bullet ? "
" I say no ! You are a fool," growled the woman. " There's
been trouble enough."
" As you say," the man replied, putting the gun back. " 'Twould
be the shorter way. Who is he ? "
" How do I know ? "
" Well, mark what I tell you trouble'll grow out of this."
" Mind your business and turn the meat," grated the woman.
" I'll attend to matters."
Dr. Haworth had meanwhile gone into the thicket and mounted
his horse to return to his temporary home in the hills. His face was
gloomy and expressed mingled hatred and disgust. Were these
creatures guilty of the murder ? There was nearly even-thing to
support the supposition, but it was quite clearly a supposition.
AN AGREEABLE ENCOUNTER. 31
VII.
AN AGREEABLE ENCOUNTER.
To reach his home in the hills, Dr. Haworth followed a road
through the woods, along the foot of the range, catching a glimpse
now and then of Mauricewood, two or three miles distant.
He was riding on slowly with head bent down, when hearing
hoof-strokes in front he looked up and saw Miss Gary Maurice, who
had come out of a by-road and was galloping in the same direction
which he himself was taking. He hastened to join her and bowed.
" Dr. Haworth ! " she exclaimed, with evident pleasure, " I am
fortunate ! I have found an escort and armed to protect me ! " she
added, laughing, and looking at the carbine under his arm.
" I am glad to be of any service. I was out hunting," he said.
" And I am going to see a friend who promised me some ferns.
Don't be shocked to find me riding without an escort. Our neigh-
borhood is very orderly, and then everybody knows me. So you see
it is the pleasure of your company, not the want of a protector, which
inspired my friendly speech."
" It is good to be friendly," returned Dr. Haworth. " We are
nearly strangers, but I hope on better acquaintance you and your
family will find me worthy of your regard that our relations will be
cordial."
" Why should they not be ? You are quite a friend of the family
already."
Miss Gary uttered the words in a cheerful manner, and with a
dangerous glance. She was an attractive object in her black riding-
habit, defining the graceful figure with her roses, her brown curls,
and her little head inclined sidewise. As he glanced at her, Dr.
Haworth seemed to forget his harsh emotion, and his face re-
laxed.
" Thank you," he said. " I am glad .to be regarded as the friend
of your family, and then there is nothing I like so much as friendly
expressions."
" I prefer flattering ones ! " said Miss Gary.
Dr. Haworth looked at the bright face and said :
" Then I will tell you what I thought when I saw you riding in
front of me a moment ago."
" What you thought ? "
32 AN AGREEABLE EXCOUXTER.
" I was thinking how beautiful you were."
" What a delicious speech ! " cried Miss Gary, with the least pos-
sible increase of color.
" I will venture to add that you recalled to me two passages in a
book I have been reading."
" Was it trash ? "
" No, it was a volume of Count Pontmartin's, the great French
critic, who is a favorite of mine."
" Well, do tell me the passages you thought of when you saw
me. I hope they were complimentary ? "
" You shall judge for yourself. The critic is speaking of an
author whom he admires, and says that his works have an attraction
only to be described by the word ' charm.' "
" That is well, charming ! "
" He then defines this charm. It is what the Italians mean by
the term sympathy the indefinable something, which charms, but
cannot be described."
Miss Gary made a bow, blushing a little under his glance.
" Shall I now tell you the other passage ? "
" If you please ! "
" This time it is Prosper Merimee. He writes to his ' unknown,'
describing a lady whom he has just met. She is beautiful, faultlessly
dressed, a queen of the salon, he says ; but he adds, addressing his
fair unknown : She has not that inexpressible something, which you
have, and which I cannot express except by saying that it is a
something which makes people love you."
" That is really exquisite," Miss Gary said, laughing a little hasti-
ly, " but I am afraid I am taking you out of your way."
" Out of my way ! I have no business," said Dr. Haworth, com-
posedly.
" But you were going home "
" There is nothing to attract me there."
" But you have been hunting I am sure you are hungry ! It
would be wrong to impose upon you ! "
It was obvious that Miss Gary Maurice considered that the con-
versation had taken a dangerous direction.
" I am not hungry," he said.
" But really it is not to be thought of."
" Allow me at least to accompany you as far as your friends."
This proposition seemed to relieve Miss Gary.
PROF. LESNER.
33
" Thank you, I will accept your escort so far with pleasure.
Yonder is the house," she said.
They were opposite a small lodge in an opening of the woods
a cheerful establishment, nearly overgrown with creeping vines, and
surrounded by nicely-trimmed sward, scattered through which were
borders of autumn flowers in full bloom. The place indeed was a
bower of verdure, flowers, and bees, which were humming merrily
in the sunshine
" I won't detain you," said Miss Gary to her companion, as he
assisted her to the ground.
" I should like to know your friend."
As it was impossible to refuse, Miss Gary said :
" I will introduce you with pleasure."
" What is his name ? "
" Professor Lesner."
VIII.
PROF. LESNER.
AT the name of Prof. Lesner Dr. Haworth turned his head
quickly. Miss Gary, however, was arranging the skirts of her
riding-habit at the moment, and did not observe his surprise.
He was very much surprised, indeed. Nothing could have been
more unexpected than the singular chance which was then about to
throw him again with the friend of Mr. Burdette, the opium-smoker
of the "joint" in Mott street. He was aware of the fact that on
Mrs. Maurice's Northern tour she had been accompanied by Prof.
Lesner, but it had never occurred to him that the Professor resided
in the Mauricewood neighborhood he had, in fact, forgotten his ex-
istence. Now it seemed they were about to meet again, and Dr.
Haworth asked himself if the old scholar would recognize him. It
was improbable. When they met in Mott street he was in no con-
dition to remember anything. It was much the most probable sup-
position that he would not connect Dr. Haworth, the friend of Miss
Maurice, with the unknown stranger of New York and so it
proved.
Prof. Lesner came out of his house in a dressing-gown and slip-
pers, with his gray hair upon his shoulders, and smiling kindly. The
visit of Miss Gary evidently delighted him.
34
PROF. LESNER.
" It does my old heart good to see you, my dear little rosebud**!
he said, squeezing her hand.
" Thank you, dear Prof. Lesner you always make charming
speeches," returned the young lady. " This is my friend, Dr. Ha-
worth Prof. Lesner, Dr. Haworth."
" I am glad to know any friend of Miss Gary's," said the Profess-
or, bowing courteously.
It was plain that he had not recognized him. There were no in-
dications of opium about the old scholar, and Dr. Haworth hoped
he had discontinued the evil habit when once beyond temptation.
" But come in," he said hospitably ; " I was reading, but not
much interested."
" I generally find you among your flowers and bees when you are
not with your birds," said Miss Gary.
The Professor sighed, looking around him sadly. " My poor
flowers have nearly all left me," he said, " and my bees, too. I have
lost twenty swarms and have now scarcely a hundred. Then my
pets, my canaries, are dying in some mysterious manner. I have
only two hundred left. Come, little one ! "
He held out his finger and a beautiful canary darted from a win-
dow and perched upon it, turning his bright head from side to side.
" That is my aviary. I thought I would give them a little sun-
shine to-day. They are too good to fly away," said the Professor,
smiling and caressing the canary,
Miss Gary Maurice laughed.
" Scarcely a hundred swarms of bees, and two hundred canary
birds left just listen, Dr. Haworth ! We shall next be told that the
mice have devoured all your folio volumes but one hundred thou-
sand."
" I have not so many, Miss Gary you know I am a poor scholar,
only. But I have many things to cheer me in my lonely life your
bright face is one of them."
"Well, I told you before that you were charming, Prof. Lesner!
Have you the ferns you promised me weeks ago ? "
" Oh, yes. I would have brought them, but my health has been
so bad."
He went into a little sitting-room on the right of the entrance>
the walls of which were nearly covered by books, and brought to
the porch a large portfolio filled with delicate ferns.
y^ " These are all arranged with both their scientific and common
PROF. LESNER.
35
I will not say vulgar names beneath them. 1 fear you will find
the portfolio cumbersome."
" Oh, no. I can easily take it."
" You are very welcome. Always try to find something that I
can do to please you."
And Prof. Lesner beamed on the young lady, who renewed her
thanks, and then rose to go.
" You will not leave me so soon ! " he protested.
" Thank you, but I am afraid I shall have to go now. You are
very good come and see us soon."
And the amiable Professor, having declared that as soon as he
could stir out, his very first visit should be to Mauricewood, Miss
Gary shook hands and was assisted to her saddle by Dr. Haworth.
He had brought out the portfolio of ferns and Miss Gary now ex-
tended her hand to take it, but Dr. Haworth responded by mount-
ing, with the portfolio still beneath his arm.
" It would be impossible for you to carry such a load," he said,
" and it is too late for you to return without an escort."
Dr. Haworth then touched his horse, whose head was turned in
the direction of Mauricewood, and Miss Gary was obliged to follow.
If she expected the conversation to take a romantic turn, she was
mistaken.
" A curious person," said Dr. Haworth. " I mean Prof. Lesner.
Is he a friend of yours ? "
" Oh, yes ; we have known him all our lives."
" Then he has always lived here ? "
" Ever since I can remember. He was once professor in some
college, I believe, but retired, and spends his life in studying and
writing. I think he has written some work which is to be published
in New York, but I do not know upon what subject."
Dr. Haworth knew, but respected the Professor's secret.
" You describe a scholar and recluse," he said. " Your friend is
evidently devoted to country life and innocent pleasures."
" You mean his birds and bees. He is devoted to them ; and it
i's the most rational life, is it not ? I mean, to live quietly and hap-
pily?"
" I can hardly say. My own life has passed mainly in action of
some description, and not always happily," said Dr. Haworth.
" I am sorry in action ? "
" In laboring for my livelihood and otherwise. I was poor.".
36 ' " PROF. LESNER.
" That is said to be the test of character and the preface to dis-
tinction, Dr. Haworth," said the young lady earnestly.
" It has tested mine if not given me any distinction. But per-
haps Prof. Lesner's is the truest philosophy repose is best where
one can enjoy it."
" I hope you are able to do so."
"No, I have an object in life still unaccomplished."
His grave, almost cold, tone indicated that he was not uttering a
gallant speech, and Gary Maurice said earnestly :
" If I were a man I would offer to assist you if I could."
" You cannot but you can do one thing."
" What is that ? "
" You can hope for my success. It is a worthy object I have in
view."
" I am sure it is, and I do hope you will succeed in it."
He went on for some moments in silence, and then said in a low
voice :
" I am glad you have given me that assurance. My life has been
rather sad I have not had many persons to sympathize with me
thus I value your regard and would like to have an opportunity to
prove my own that I am your very faithful friend."
" I am sure you are," said Miss Gary Maurice in an earnest tone.
" Then we understand each other, we are friends ? "
He held out his ungloved hand.
" Yes, with all my heart."
She drew off her own glove and gave him her hand ; he felt its
soft and warm pressure. At the same moment the horses stopped.
They were at the Mauricewood gate.
Dr. Haworth looked up on the veranda of the Mauricewood
house stood Col. Ross, and his superb riding-horse was at the rack
near.
" Shall I go further, or do you wish me to leave you now ? " said
Dr. Haworth.
"How coldly you say that! What is the matter ?" exclaimed
the young lady, looking up at him impulsively.
" You have a visitor. One of the greatest blunders a man can
commit is to be de trap,"
" You will not be de trap ! The idea ! "
" Do you wish me to come ? "
" Certainly ! You know how very glad we all are to see you."
COL. ROSS TAKES A NIGHT RIDE.
37
"Col. Ross may remain all night."
" Why should not Dr. Haworth remain also, then ? " said Miss
Gary, smiling.
" Because one is a stranger myself I mean ; and the other an
old friend. He is more than a friend, perhaps."
" More ? " she said quickly. " I assure you you are mistaken,
sif ! "
" No more ? " he persisted, looking steadily at her.
" Not the least bit ! " said Miss Gary, laughing.
" Well, to be frank, I am glad to know that," said Dr. Haworth
coolly, " but I find, after all, that I shall be obliged to return home."
And as they had reached the house now, he assisted the young
lady to dismount, bowed and departed.
IX.
COL. ROSS TAKES A NIGHT RIDE.
COL. ROSS didn't remain at Mauricewood later than about 8
in the evening. At that hour he rose, bowed deferentially, and al-
leging business in Abbeyville on his way home, took his departure.
The moon was shining, and he rode on slowly with an expression
of decided discomposure. He had not been able to exchange more
than a few commonplaces with Miss Gary Maurice in the midst of
the family circle ; but that hardly accounted for his expression of
moody displeasure. In fact, Col. Ross was thinking of something
very different, as some muttered words now and then indicated.
What had occurred was this : On his arrival at Mauricewood he
had found Mrs. Maurice confined to her room by a headache, and
Miss Gary absent, but Mr. Tim ?vlaurice received and entertained
him. They had entered into a conversation, and a chance allusion
by the old gentleman to Dr. Haworth had naturally led Col. Ross to
say:
" He is a visitor in the neighborhood, I believe ? "
" A gentleman traveling for his pleasure, and a very agreeable
man, I assure you," replied Uncle Tim.
Col. Ross inclined his head politely, but said :
" My experience, Mr. Maurice, is a little opposed to putting too
much confidence in strangers unaccredited people. I do not
38 COL. ROSS TAKES A NIGHT RIDE.
mean, of course, to say anything to the prejudice of your friend Dr.
Haworth, for he seems to have become a friend of the family."
" Why, yes ; he is very intelligent, and plays the best game of
chess I ever saw ! "
" I know that you consider that an admirable trait in anybody,"
said Col. Ross ; " but it is not a guarantee of character."
" I believe Dr. Haworth to be perfectly open and honorable."
" No doubt, and you say he is intelligent ? "
" Extremely so. I was much struck by his acuteness the other
day, when I was telling him of our unfortunate family tragedy my
brother's death, you know."
. " Ah ! you told him about that old affair ? "
" Yes, he seemed curious to hear the details, and, I observed,
listened with the closest attention. Afterwards in discussing the
question of Mr. Ducis' connection with the murder he indicated
great acuteness of intellect. He suggested as Mr. Ducis' probable
defense the one actually set us by his counsel even to the possible
erasure in the warehouse ledger by the real criminal. You will re-
member the case.''
" Yes," said Col. Ross, speaking slowly with his eyes fixed upon
the opposite wall, " I believe I remember."
" I have some reason, you see, for speaking of Dr. Haworth as a
man of intelligence," added Mr. Tim Maurice.
" Yes."
" I should call him a man of great penetration. All his com-
ments on the case proved that."
" He had a theory, of course, as to the real murderer ? " said
Col. Ross.
" Yes. He was clearly of opinion that Mr. Ducis was guilty
if not, then Wilkins and the woman Pitts ; that one struck the blow
and the other carried off the money."
Col. Ross made no reply to this for a moment ; he then said :
" So strange a story must have interested Dr. Haworth."
" He seemed very much interested. Such puzzles, he said, had
always had a great attraction for him."
" They have for most people and your friend inquired into
every detail ? "
" Minutely. If he had been a detective he could scarcely have
been more curious," said Mr. Maurice, smiling.
" He is not probably a detective," replied Col. Ross coolly, " but
COL. ROSS TAKES A NIGHT RIDE.
39
then you will not think me intrusive, I hope, Mr. Maurice, if I add
that he is a stranger."
" Well, stranger or not, he is a delightful fellow ! " cried Uncle
Tim, with friendly warmth ; " quiet in his manners, thoroughly well-
bred, and plays a superb game of chess."
As Miss Gary had made her appearance at this moment the dis-
cussion of Dr. Haworth's merits and demerits proceeded no further,
and Col. Ross had concentrated his attention on the young lady.
She had not received him with much warmth. His quick eye de-
tected an almost imperceptible alteration in her manner. It was
perfectly courteous, but the riante ease which habitually character-
ized it was absent, and Col. Ross, moodily reflecting, attributed the
change to Miss Gary's riding companion.
Hence the impression of displeasure on his face as he rode back
toward Abbeyville through the moonlight. As he reflected, his eye-
brows steadily contracted and a sullen fire kindled beneath them.
" What is this man's errand here ? " he muttered. " Who is he ?
I know his name and heard of his visit to the United States, but
what brings him here ? What is he trying to find out ? "
He reflected for a moment and added in the same tone :
" He may only be interested in a puzzle a ' mysterious crime/
as the newspapers head their reports. But there is the chance it
is possible whatever his motive is he may make trouble."
Col. Ross drew rein as he said this, and his horse stopped.
Looking toward the hill country west of Mauricewood, he hesitated,
reflected and said at length :
" I will put them on their guard. That old chatterbox yonder
has given him the names, and he will be sure to hunt them up he
may have already done so."
Col. Ross then turned into a side road winding through woods,
went on at full gallop and in about three-quarters of an hour was in
front of the cabin occupied by the man and woman visited by Dr.
Haworth. The presence of the horseman was announced by a vio-
lent barking from the cur. At this the slatternly woman came to
the door and peered out. Col. Ross had dismounted, and as he
was within a few feet of her, she had no difficulty in recognizing him.
" Has a stranger been here ? " he said, in a brief and abrupt tone.
" Yes."
" Heavy brown mustache, sunburnt, middle height, and looks
straight through you ? "
4Q COL. OSS TAKES A A'IGIfT RIDE.
" That's him."
" What did he want ? "
" A gourd of water he was out hunting."
" It was a mistake. He was hunting for you"
The woman changed color, but made no reply.
" What did he say to you ! " continued Col. Ross, in the same
abrupt tone.
" He talked about a murder trial somewhere and tracking up
some bank-notes."
" Well ? "
" The man that murdered the other one was found out by the
figures on the notes. "
"Well?"
" And he was hung," said the woman, with a slight shiver.
"Well?"
At each repetition of the word " well " the voice of the speaker
seemed to grow colder and more threatening.
" Then he left," added the woman, " and Job wanted to put a
bullet in him."
" The best thing he could have done," said Col. Ross, coldly.
" Is he in there ? "
"Yes."
"Call him here. I have something to say to him and you."
" Better come in and say it quiet. There's never any certainty
that nobody's near by."
She looked around her as if suspecting the presence of some
eavesdropper, but there was only the mangy cur in his kennel, the
pig-sty, the ash heap, the broken fence and the scraggy thicket.
"You are right," Col. Ross said. "What I 'have to say had
better be said without listeners."
He then went into the house and the door closed. After about
half an hour he came out again and mounted his horse. The man
Wilkins had followed him to the fence.
" Remember what I told you," Col. Ross said in a low tone.
" Be on your guard. This man is cool, strong, rich, and it will not
do to try to frighten him. That means he is dangerous. If he
comes back here take care what you say."
" If he comes back I'll put an ounce of lead into him."
" Well that's your affair."
[ He touched his horse, set forward, and reaching the main road
DR. HAWORTH DISCOVERS A LIKENESS. 41
was heard galloping toward Abbeyville. The man Wilkins had
gone back into the house and shut the door.
It seemed that the woman with the dishevelled hair had given
Col. Ross some very good advice. As soon as the cabin door
closed, something which resembled a moving shadow detached it-
self from the rear of the cabin which was opposite the moon and
gained the thicket in which it disappeared. This shadow was Jean
Baptiste, and his presence can be accounted for in a very simple
manner. He had grown a little uneasy about Dr. Haworth, who
had not returned at nightfall, and fearing that some accident had
happened to him in hunting, Jean, who had nothing else to do, fol-
lowed the hoof-prints of his horse. This was not difficult, as a
slight rain had fallen the night before, and there was little travel on
the mountain roads. He traced the hoof-prints to the cabin of the
two hill people, and was about to approach and inquire if any one had
seen Dr. Haworth when Col. Ross made his appearance. As Jean
was quite concealed from view in the thicket he remained quiet,
listened to the colloquy between the woman and her visitor ; and
when they went into the house gained the rear where there was a
small window. Through this he had cautiously looked, but could
only see that the three persons were in earnest conversation. As
they spoke in a low tone it was impossible to hear them.
After the departure of Col. Ross, Jean, knowing that his further
stay was useless, stole away and went back rapidly to the home in
the hills, where he found Dr. Haworth, who had just returned from
Mauricewood.
X.
DR. HAWORTH DISCOVERS A LIKENESS.
WHEN Dr. Haworth rode to Mauricewood some days after these
incidents and was told that the ladies had again driven out, his ex-
pression of disappointment might have revealed a great deal to Mr.
Tim Maurice if he had been a person of curious disposition. In
truth, with Cary Maurice absent there was no longer any sunshine
at Mauricewood, and even Mr. Tim Maurice's cheerful talk did not
seem to entertain his guest. It was only when the old gentleman
said : " We had a visit from Col. Ross last night," that Dr. Ha-
worth seemed to arouse himself.
42 DR. HA\YORTH DISCOVERS A LIKENESS.
" He is a tolerably frequent visitor, I believe, Mr. Maurice ? " he
said, speaking in his habitually composed tone.
" Yes, he has become quite regular in his attentions to my
niece Ellen and myself," replied Uncle Tim, jocosely.
"You mean, I suppose, to Miss Maurice?"
" Yes, I mean that."
" He is paying her his addresses ? "
" I think there can be no doubt of it."
" Is she going to marry him ? "
" Well," that is rather a puzzling question. Women are won-
drous in their way, .and wondrous uncertain also, unfathomable.
Books say so. I don't know much about them myself."
" Will you permit me to ask you a question, Mr. Maurice ? It
may appear a little unceremonious."
" Certainly. Do so without ceremony."
" Do you and Mrs. Maurice approve of Col. Ross' attentions ? "
" Well," said Uncle Tim, dubiously, " I never meddle in such
matters myself, and Ellen Mrs. Maurice has great confidence in
Gary. I suppose I may say that what Gary thinks will probably de-
cide the matter."
" Pardon me for saying that you have not answered my question."
" Your question ? "
" If Miss Maurice's family approve of an alliance with Col. Ross.
Frankly, I cl not particularly admire him."
Mr. Tim Maurice laughed heartily.
" Well, do you know that it is pretty much my own senti.nent,"
he said. " It is curious, but there is something about our friend the
Colonel which rather jars on one at times. It is hard to say what
it is but there it is."
Dr. Haworth reflected for a moment then he said :
" I have no doubt Col. Ross has made me the subject of con-
versation, and asked what brought me to the neighborhood."
" Yes, he asked me the question."
" Well, then, I am fairly entitled to ask you who he is, in my
turn."
" He is the son of a gentleman of this county who died about
twenty years ago. Young Ross was educated for the navy, and
spent some years cruising, I believe, but afterwards resigned and
entered the Chilian army or navy, I think. He is now a guano or
nitrate contractor or agent, I hear."
DR. HA WORTH DISCOVERS A LIKENESS.
43
" He is rich, I believe ? "
" He is said to be very rich."
" Well, I presume he acquired his wealth in South America, and
where I understand you to say he has always lived when not on his
cruises, until recently."
" He has not always lived there. When he was a young man of
from 20 to 25 he succeeded to his father's estate, and was frequently
at home."
" You were no doubt acquainted with him at that time."
" Yes, but the acquaintance was slight. He was rather well,
what is called wild."
You mean dissipated."
" That is the polite word. But it is rather too polite to express
the exact idea. Young Ross was what is vulgarly called a ' hard
case.' I remember an unlucky affair of his in which my poor
brother was concerned."
" Your brother, Mr. James Maurice ? "
" Yes, he was a magistrate, and young Ross was brought before
him in Abbeyville for some drunken misconduct. My brother was
anxious to let him off with an admonition, but he openly insulted
the court, told my brother in fact that he was an ' old fool ' and
was committed to jail for contempt."
" Ah ! Then your brother and the present Col. Ross were possi-
bly not very good friends ? "
" Very naturally they were not. My brother felt that he had been
unwarrantably insulted, and young Ross professed to regard his
commitment to jail as a gross outrage ; he went so far, it is said, as
to swear that my brother should smart for it."
" Ah ! " Dr. Haworth said once more. His companion's reminis-
cences seemed to interest him very much.
" If that incident occurred about twenty years ago," he said, " it
must have been about the time of Mr. James Maurice's death."
" I think it just preceded it."
" I suppose there was little intimacy between young Ross and
your family ? "
" None at all."
" He was not acquainted with the present Mrs. Maurice ? "
" It is possible yes ; I remember seeing him at Mauricewood,
but not more than once or twice, I think."
" And Mr. John Maurice was also a stranger to him ? "
44 DR. II A WORTH DISCOVERS A UK EX ESS.
" Yes no. Really, I am remembering a number of things. It
was said that the two young men had not only known each other,
but had a quarrel about a woman in South America. John was
attache there, and I remember there was some vague talk of a duel,
or quarrel at least, between him and our friend the Colonel, who was
then a naval officer."
" Ah ! a quarrel ? "
" About some woman, as I said. Y^ii s^e, they make all the
trouble which makes me keep clear of the clear creatures, Doctor.
Yes, there was certainly a quarrel of some sort between young Ross
and John Maurice, and that may have explained his absence from
the wedding."
" Mr. John Maurice's wedding ? "
" Yes. I remember he was not present."
Dr. Haworth nodded.
" After all, you are better acquainted with Col. Ross than you
think, Mr. Maurice," he said ; " and as he is received at Maurice-
wood now in so friendly a manner, it is a proof that he has reformed
the objectionable traits in his character if there were such."
" I have no doubt that he has done so."
" Then you will not oppose his matrimonial views ? "
Mr. Tim Maurice made a dubious movement with his lips and
said :
" Well, I should be sorry to see Gary marry him, with all his
wealth, as he and poor John were enemies. It is natural to take up
the family dislike, you see."
" You were no doubt attached to young Mr. Maurice ? "
" Attached to him ! I was devoted to him. He was a splendid
youngster ; as brave as steel, as firm as a rock, and you had only to
look at him to see that he was a noble fellow."
"You speak with enthusiasm."
"Well, not extravagantly. We have his portrait."
"Ah!"
" Would you like to see it ? It is in my niece's chamber, but she
will not mind my taking you up."
" I should be very glad to see it."
" Then you need only follow, Doctor."
Mr. Tim Maurice led the way up the winding staircase with the
elastic step of a boy, followed by Dr. Ha'.vorth, and they reached
the second floor, where a neatly-matted hall, corresponding to that
PROF. LESNER'S THEORY.
45
down stairs, gave access to the numerous apartments. Mr. Maurice
opened a door on the right and entered a chamber of lofty pitch,
with lace curtains, an old-fashioned bedstead, with tall posts and a
tester, and many easy-chairs disposed in front of a wide fireplace,
where a wood fire was burning on ancient brass andirons. Over
the narrow, carved mantelpiece was a fine oil painting representing-
a very handsome young man of about 25, with blue eyes, short,
black curls, and a frank and open smile.
" There is poor John's picture," said Uncle Tim.
Dr. Haworth looked up at it. It was the most remarkable
likeness of Jean Baptiste.
At the same moment the voice of Miss Gary was heard calling
from the hall below :
" Where are you, Uncle ? "
XL
PROF. LESNER'S THEORY.
DR. HAWORTH rode away from Mauricewood a little before
sunset. Gary's hand had remained in his own a moment as he
bowed and took leave. She was charming as she leaned back in
her arm-chair, looking up at him out of her great blue eyes, with a
little color in her cheeks and a happy smile. His own fixed look
made the roses redder, and then the following dialogue ensued :
" You have forgotten the portfolio, Miss Maurice."
" Oh, you must not trouble yourself to take it."
" It is no trouble."
" I can return it to Prof. Lesner by a servant."
" He may wish it it is scarcely a quarter of a mile out of my
way."
" You are very kind then."
And Miss Gary delivered the portfolio, after which Dr. Haworth
rode away. He went on in profound thought and reached Prof. Les-
ner's just at sunset. That gentleman was seated on a rustic bench
with a canary singing beside him, a bunch of autumn blooms in his
button-hole, and reading a folio volume which rested on his knees.
" Dr. Haworth, if my poor eyes do not deceive me," he said, ris-
ing courteously.
46 PROF. LEAVER'S THEORY.
His visitor bowed.
" Miss Maurice requested me to return your portfolio, sir that
which contained the ferns."
" It was unnecessary ; I had quite lost sight of it. Sit down,
Doctor, sit down."
And the benignant old Professor pointed to the rustic bench,
which was large enough for two or three persons.
" I was reading it is nearly my only amusement," he said. " I
am a little lonely now and then, as I have never married a gieat
mistake but I manage to pass the time."
" Reading is occupation," Dr. Haworth said. He had taken his
seat resolving to remain a few moments.
" A great resource," returned the smiling old Professor.
" But a more effectual means still of killing time is writing I
mean literary composition."
" I have found that true, Doctor."
" You write, then ? "
" Yes, a little on scientific subjects."
" On physical science, perhaps ? "
" Yes ; I know of no other."
" There is the psychological."
Prof. Lesner looked at his visitor. The title of his work about
to be published by Mr. Burdette was the " Psychology of Opium."
Prof. Lesner, seeing only a composed face opposite to him, which
indicated nothing, shook his head and replied :
" I am afraid the term psychological, as applied to science, is
misleading. The soul if there is one is a mystery, and we know
nothing of it."
" Do you doubt the existence of a soul in man ? "
Prof. Lesner did not reply for a moment, He then said mildly :
" Is it proved to exist ? The body exists."
" Are you certain ? "
" I think I am," said Prof. Lesner smiling. " My senses prove
its existence."
" The senses are not trustworthy. You are no doubt aware of
the phenomena accompanying hallucination ? "
" Yes."
" That certain excellent people distinctly see the dead come into
the room where they sit ? "
_ , " Yes, Doctor ; but these excellent people have diseased senses.
PROF. LESNER' S THEORY. 47
In a normal state these same senses are reliable, and the only re-
liance."
" You attach no faith, then, to the inborn sentiment of the exist-
ence of a soul and a future life ? "
" I am obliged to repeat, Doctor, that nothing is proved. Evo-
lution development that is demonstrated."
" That man descends or ascends from the monkeys ? "
The Professor laughed.
" That is one of the popular phrases which obscure scientific
discussion."
" Phrases often have a rude truth in them," said Dr. Haworth,
" as where Mr. Carlyle calls the development theory the ' Gospel of
dirt.' "
" A hardy adversary, my dear Doctor ! But Mr. Carlyle was not
a sound thinker. He was all his 'life tormented by dyspepsia. That
clouds the mjnd."
" No doubt he was a sufferer like Heine, though, unlike Heine,
he never resorted to anodynes."
" Heine was a very great genius," said Prof. Lesner.
" And believed in nothing but the agony in his spine. It is not
Surprising that he lived on opium."
" It is not surprising," said Prof. Lesner, sighing ; " and he was
rhuch more excusable than Coleridge."
" You blame Coleridge ? "
" Of course, Doctor. Poor Heine was incessantly wracked with
pain, but it is not said that Coleridge was. He fell a victim to the
drug from weakness of will and the force of circumstances."
" I -have forgotten the details. Did he smoke or use the drug in
the form of laudanum ? "
" The latter, I believe."
" Smoking seems to be the method preferred by the Chinese at
least, the papers say so of the Chinese population of New York."
" I think so," said Prof. Lesner sadly.
Dr. Haworth, who had directed the conversation to the opium
subject more from inadvertence than design, felt a sentiment of com-
punction as he looked at the sad face and gray hair of his companion.
He had no desire whatever to make the application of his views per-
sonal, or reveal his knowledge of the scene in Mott street. Here
was an old scholar, who had, no doubt, accidentally contracted the
habit of using opium, probably like De Quincey, to relieve physical
48 PROF. LESXER'S THEORY.
pain at first, and finally as a source of mental enjoyment in his
lonely condition. It was unfortunate there all ended.
" Well, I believe it is conceded, sir," he said, " that the opium
habit, under whatever form, is unfortunate. It is said to subjugate
the will and destroy a man's energy. But let us change the topic.
I am returning from an agreeable visit to Mauricewood."
" A delightful place ! " said old Prof. Lesner, brightening up.
" You know the family the rest as well as Miss Maurice? "
" Oh, yes ! They are all my attached friends."
" I congratulate you upon having such attractive neighbors."
" Yes, I always feel as if the sunshine were coming out when I
am in sight of the house," said Prof. Lesner cheerfully, " though I
seldom leave home."
"That is very poetical and very just your description. The
family deserve some credit, too, for their cheerfulness under the cir-
cumstances."
" The circumstances ? " said the Professor, with a puzzled look.
" I referred to the unfortunate affair which took place, you know,
at Mauricewood the murder of Mr. Maurice."
The Professor sighed and said :
" I suppose Mr. Tim Maurice mentioned it. Yes, it was a touch-
ing affair. But time wears away the memory of almost everything,
Doctor. Miss Gary was not born and her mother has, I think,
nearly forgotten it. It occurred, I think yes fully twenty years
ago."
" A very singular affair. I confess it has puzzled me completely
to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion in reference to it."
" You mean as to the real person who committed the crime
yes, that is still a mystery."
" Have you ever framed an hypothesis ? " said Dr. Haworth,
yielding to the temptation to discuss what had become his possess-
ing idea. Prof. Lesner shook his head.
" None that satisfies me," he replied.
" I understood that you doubt whether Mr. Ducis was the crimi-
nal ? "
" I could never believe it. His character contradicted the very
idea. In spite of the terribly circumstantial evidence, I could never
convince myself that Mr. Ducis was in any manner connected with
the crime."
" Was the woman the servant or housekeeper? "
PROF. LESXER'S THEORY.
49
" That also seems improbable. Women are not apt to commit
murder by means of deadly weapons."
" There was a man, a manager, I believe, with whom Mr. Mau-
rice had quarreled. I think he was arrested and charged with the
murder."
" Yes, but both he and the woman were discharged, as there
was no proof against them."
" Still, the crime was actually committed. Mr. Maurice died by
violence, and some one must have been concerned in the event."
Prof. Lesner nodded and seemed to reflect. He then said :
" This is the first time in many years that the subject has been
recalled to my mind. I remember, however, the drift of my specu-
lations at the time. You will probably differ with me in my conclu-
sion, however ; it has not much, I confess, to support it."
" You came to a conclusion, then ? " said Dr. Haworth, turning
his head quickly.
" Yes."
" I should be very much interested if you would state it."
" I will do so with pleasure, though it will probably appear ab-
surd. After reflecting upon the whole matter, I concluded in my
own mind that Mr. Maurice was not murdered at all."
" Not murdered ? "
" That he himself was the author of the accident which resulted
in his death."
" He himself ? the accident ? "
" Yes an accident so simple that from its very simplicity it
never occurred to anybody. If you have observed the floors at
Mauricewood you must have admired their high polish which is the
result of continuous scrubbing. There was formerly, and I believe
is still, in the South, a great preference for bare floors, which are *
much cooler in the summer than those covered with carpeting or
matting. The only objection to them is the defacement produced
by grease or other stains ; and this has always been counteracted
by laborious scrubbing with a heavy block of wood to the face of
which is affixed a stiff brush or a mat of corn ' shucks,' as we call
them. A long handle is inserted into the block, and by dragging it
to and fro a very smooth surface and high polish is produced by
the friction."
" Yes, yes, I understand, sir. But your theory "
" I will proceed to state it, roy dear Doctor. If it seems fanci-
3
5O PROF. LESWEITS THEORY.
ful it will do no harm. My theory, then, is that the chamber occu-
pied by Mr. Maurice on the night of the marriage was thus scrubbed
to a degree which rendered it slippery. He probably fose, during
the night, possibly to close the window, which may have been left
open, and putting on his slippers attempted to do so."
" And"
" You understand me, I see. He slipped and lost his balance,
and in falling struck his temple against an angle of the carved bed-
stead, uttered a cry of pain, and staggering to the bed groaned so
that he waked his wife the whole resulting in his death from syn-
cope."
Dr. Haworth, who had listened attentively, shook his head and
said:
" I fear that theory is what you call it fanciful. How are we
to account for the disappearance of the money, and the hammer
and glove? "
" I have never been able to do so. Everything is pure conjec-
ture. As to the first the sum in gold and bank-notes which Mr.
Maurice was supposed to have placed on his night-table when he
undressed the evidence, I think, was rather vague. It was shown,
if I remember aright, that he did place it there. If so, it was, of
course, stolen possibly by the housekeeper or it may have been
knocked from the table by Mr. Maurice in regaining the bed after his
fall, and afterwards found by some dishonest servant under the bed."
" That is possible, but not probable."
" But we are driven to conjecture, and I grant you all this is
pure supposition. It seems tolerably certain that some one must
have stolen the sum, unless Mr. Maurice used it, of which there is
no proof."
" And the gloves and hammer ? "
" As I said, I could never account for cither. The hammer was
apparently of the sort only used for chipping rock specimens. I
examined it, I remember. But it was utterly unreasonable to con-
vict Mr. Ducis merely on the strength of so trifling a circumstance."
" But the buckskin riding-glove- ? "
" That was more absurd still. The hammer was a hammer and
the glove was a glove, and they were both found near the scene of
the crime, that was all. To prove that they were the property of
Mr. Ducis or some other murderer was essential, if that was all the
evidence."
PROF. LESNER'S THEORY. $ t
" Your view is singular," said Dr. Haworth thoughtfully. " I
Can scarcely say that it convinces me."
" It is merely suggested in reply to your question what I thought
of the affair, Doctor."
Dr. Haworth bowed.
"I am much interested in this enigma," he said, "a common
weakness in the case of idle people. I see you regard Mr. Ducis as
an innocent man what is your opinion of the question of the alibi
set up by the defense ? "
" I have always thought that Mr. Ducis was really absent at the
time of the murder, and that the register on the warehouse books
was simply a clerical error."
" A clerical error ? "
" Yes, Doctor. Mr. Ducis, I remember, stated that he had
made some purchases on a certain day the day of the murder
and not returned home until the next day. The warehouse ledger
contradicted him, but it is probable that the clerk or proprietor had
neglected to make the entry of the purchase on the day before, and
possibly seeing Mr. Ducis pass on his way home was reminded of
his forgetfulness, and from oversight made the entry as of that date.
This, you see, would allow for the fact that the warehouse ledger
did not establish the alibi."
" A trifle involving a man's life ! "
" Yes, unhappily, what are called trifles very often do. I am
only trying to establish an hypothesis, you see, consistent with Mr.
Ducis' innocence. The ledger seemed to show that he had not
made the purchases on the clay of Mr. Maurice's death, but on the
day succeeding. There was another hypothesis that you may re-
gard as the most fanciful of all, but it really occurred to me."
" What was that ? "
" That Mr. Maurice's death was the result of a deep design con-
ceived by some secret enemy of Mr. Ducis, who entered the ware-
house and changed the date."
" As we are wandering on the ocean of conjecture," said Dr.
Haworth, " that, also, was possible."
" It was shown, I think, to be a mistake. There was no erasure
such as would have been necessary, in altering the date in the
ledger. I am, therefore, forced to adopt the clerical error theory."
Prof. Lesner then sighed, and said :
" These old neighborhood matters occurred a long time since.
52 " ' yx.i.\' /u /'/;
I seldom recall them, as they are rather saddening, and only puzzle
my poor brains. As I said, I never believed that Mr. Ducis was
guilty, but human nature is a strange mixture. He was a man of
the highest character, but it must be confessed appearances were
terribly against him. Now, let us converse of something more
cheerful, Doctor. Do you make any stay in the neighborhood ? If
I were as young and good looking as yourself I should find it diffi-
cult to leave the vicinity of Mauricewood."
The Professor smiled rather slyly, and as Dr. Haworth rose to
go, said :
" Come and see me whenever you have leisure, though there is
not much to attract you in the society of a poor old scholar like
myself. I have been quite interested in our talk."
" And I also, sir."
" I am glad we touched on the subject. I never omit an oppor-
tunity to say that I believe Mr. Ducis was innocent ; he was one of
my kindest friends. True, all the Maurice family were the same,
but I shrink from injustice. I am sure Mr. Ducis was innocent."
" I am not certain I do not have your view," said Dr. Haworth,
" and am much obliged by your invitation. I will be glad to avail
myself of it."
" He then bowed and rode away in deep reflection. He was no
doubt revolving in his mind the simple hypothesis suggested by
Prof. Lesner that Mr. Maurice's death was the result of accident.
Could that have Been true ? It was possible but Dr. Haworlh
shook his head.
" I do not believe it ! " he muttered.
XII.
JEAN BAPTISTE.
ON this evening, about dusk, Jean Baptiste was seated on a
bench in front of the modest house of " Hunter Wilson," in the
hills, amusing his noisy children who had gathered around him, by
telling them wonderful stories. They were listening in open-eyed
astonishment, and a little girl who was perched on his knee looked
at him with open mouth and the profoundest admiration.
At the approach of Dr. Haworth, however, the wonders came to
JEAN BAPTISTE. 53
a sudden end. Jean let down the little girl, and ran to meet the
Doctor with a smile of pleasure.
" Your Excellency is just in time for supper broiled venison,"
he exclaimed, taking the horse.
" And you are hungry, no doubt, Jean ! " he said, looking kindly
at the boy.
" Not so hungry," laughed Jean.
" Will you throw my bridle over that bough, then, and come and
talk with me a few minutes ? "
Dr. Haworth went to a knoll about fifty yards distant where a
ledge of rock jutted from the sward, and sat down, pointing to the
place beside him. Jean took the seat and looked at his master in-
quiringly.
" I have never told you how much you have interested me,
Jean," said Dr. Haworth. " At your age young fellows are gener-
ally mere boys. You are a prudent and acute man, as when you
repeated to me every word uttered by Col. Ross to those people."
Jean colored slightly and said :
" Do you know what makes me cool ? "
" What ? "
"Devotion to your Excellency."
" Very well. Devotion is a trait which is apt to be repaid in the
same coin. Now, to come to another matter. I want you to tell
me all you know about yourself your history."
" My history ? "
" The story of your life in South America, before I became ac-
quainted with you."
" When I was a boy ? "
" From your childhood ; you have told me something, but it was
not much. I found you roaming about Lima ; a young fellow with
a bright face, ready to turn an honest penny, and a penny of no
other sort. So I took you into my service. I liked your face."
" You were so kind ! You were always so good to me ! "
" Leave that aside, and tell me your story."
" There is none to tell. My first recollection of myself is travel-
ing on the high road to Callao, slung behind old Mother Pinza's
shoulders in a sort of pouch. She was not my mother she was an
old half-breed, and lived a lonely life, so I ran off one day when I
was about 10 years old and went to Lima."
" Who were your father and mother? "
54 ?A.V BAPTISTE.
At this question Jean Baptiste shook his head.
" I really do not know," he said. " I often tried to find out
something about myself, but old Mother Pinza couldn't tell me.
She was very ignorant. All I could get from her amounted to very
little,"
" What was it ? "
" Well, I could only make out that I had been left with her when
I was a baby by some one or other."
" She could not tell you the names of your parents, then ? "
" She either could not or would not. I think she could not."
' And you never discovered any traces of them ? "
"No, Excellency. I only remember hearing vaguely in some
Way that my father was an American."
" A South American ? "
" No, a native of the United States."
" And your mother ? "
" I do not know who my mother was, but I think she was a
French woman. You know my name is Jean Baptiste."
" Possibly ; so this is all you can tell me ? "
" All, Excellency you see it is almost nothing."
" Are your father and mother living ? "
" I think they are dead."
" When did they die ? "
Jean again shook his head and said :
" I know nothing at all about it, Excellency. I know it was very
foolish in me to be so indifferent on the subject. I was not really
indifferent, but I am sure I might have found out more if I had
been more persevering. But you know how it is in South America.
People live a careless life under the blazing sun. They eat and
sleep and don't think much. I was too ignorant to take the right
steps, and have always been too thoughtless and light hearted."
" Your heart may have been light, but it has always been in the
right place," said Dr. Haworth. " So you have told me all you
know ? "
Jean reflected before replying.
" There was a ring," he said suddenly. " I remember playing
with it when I was a child."
" A ring ? "
" A gold ring I am sure it was my mother's."
" Where is it ? "
JEAN BAPTTSTE. 55
"Mother Pinza must have sold it. I don't know. She was very
poor and loved money better than everything else on earth. I re-
member the ring perfectly well, but she denied all about it when I
asked for it just before I left South America."
" She, no doubt, sold it at Lima or Callao, which are not far,
you know, from her cabin."
" Your Excellency knows where Mother Pinza lived ! " Jean said.
" Yes," said Dr. Haworth.
" You have seen her ? "
" Yes."
Jean said nothing more, but he was evidently puzzled.
" I know Mother Pinza," said Dr. Haworth, " and possibly more
about yourself than you have told me. To be plain, the object of
this talk was to find whether you had discovered anything after our
last conversation at Lima. You don't know when your mother
died ? "
" I do not, Excellency."
" Well, that is all I have to say now, Jean. Supper is waiting."
They went back and supped with the hunter and his family,
after which Dr. Haworth went to his small chamber, in one corner
of which was stretched a pallet for the boy. There were writing
materials on a table, and he sat down and wrote a letter. This he
folded and directed to Senor Espartero, Notary, Calle Plateros,
South America, and then leaning back in his chair reflected for a
long time. At last he muttered: "Espartero is not a man who
fails in anything or loses time where bank notes are concerned. I
shall soon have his reply."
Jean came in and sat down beside the fire. His master looked
at him thoughtfully and said :
" I wish to caution you more than ever, Jean, to be on your
guard during our stay in this country. I have said, and repeat, that
you are one of the most discreet young men I have ever known, but
I caution you again in spite of the fact."
"You need not," said Jean simply.
" Well open and close that door."
Jean reached the door with noiseless feet, opened it, looked out
and again closed it.
" There is no one your Excellency can say what you wish to
say."
" It is only a few words," said Dr. Haworth, speaking in a low
jj6 JEAN BATTISTE.
tone. " I am here to discover something which I mean to know at
whatever risk. There is risk from three people. You have seen
them all ; or at least two of them. They are the man you know,
the woman you heard him talking with at that house, and the
woman's husband."
Jean, looking intently at his watch, made a quiet movement with
his head and said :
" Yes, Excellency, but Col. Ross is a long way the most danger-
ous of the three."
" You really seem to have a great prejudice against our poor
friend, the Colonel," said Dr. Haworth, grimly.
" A prejudice, Excellency ? The man is a snake ! Carrajo !
How I hate him ! He sent that torpedo boat to blow us up in Cal-
lao Harbor, and he gave me this cut on my head ! I was off my
guard. He was about to cut at me again. Your Excellency saved
me by cutting at him ! "
" Well, I see you don't like him, and your instinct in the matter
is a true instinct. To be plain I told you that I meant to trust
you implicitly this man has done much worse than cut down an
enemy in fair fight. If he has not committed a murder in which I
am interested, he has been concerned in it. I have come here to
discover all about it, for the gratification of my personal curiosity.
He knows my object without knowing what motive I have ; and I
need not tell you that a struggle with such a man is a matter of life
and death."
" To both of us yes, Excellency."
" No not to you."
" Does your Excellency think I care for my life ? It belongs to
you."
Dr. Haworth looked at the boy and smiled, which made his
grave face an attractive spectacle.
" Gratitude! " he murmured ; " then the definition of the term is
not only ' a word found in the dictionary ! '"
Jean looked at him with an expression of the deepest affection,
and as if inquiring what he had said.
" I was muttering to myself, you can see. Jean a bad habit, the
result of living in solitude. What I said was that the sentiment
called gratitude is a conventional illusion rather than an actual trait
of human nature. People talk of it, but rarely meet with it in real
life you have it."
JEAN DAPTISTE. 57
" Have it ? Why should I not have it ? " cried Jean, impulsively.
c< Your Excellency took me when I was a poor child in the streets
and gave me a home ! You not only gave me a home, but educated
me and made me your companion. I was proud to be your servant,
to wait on you and do all that I could to please you. But that did
not satisfy you you are such an exacting Excellency ! You must
make me your secretary and almost a gentleman ! "
" I did not make you that. You became such of your own mo-
tion, and not ' almost,' either wholly."
" Your Excellency is so good ! Well, you saved me not my
life only, when that man's cutlass was going to cut me down you
saved me from becoming a mere vagabond. Thanks to you, I am
educated, well dressed ; I hope I am what is called respectable ! "
" In every sense, and more."
" Well, I owe all to you."
" And you left me," said Dr. Haworth, smiling.
Jean Baptiste exclaimed :
" I had to, Excellency ! There was some one who I thought I
would go away for a year or two and try to forget her."
"Well," said Dr. Haworth, smiling, "what is the result? Have
you gotten over the effect of your sweet honey-poison ? "
Jean's color deepened.
"I can't say I have," he replied with a rueful laugh; "but I
keep up my good spirits. Some day I may meet her again."
" I see you are not cured. When a young lover talks in that
way he has not given up all hope. Well patience and shuffle the
cards. We are going back to Lima soon ; for you will return, will
you not ? "
" I was thinking of it when you came to New York."
" Very well ; that is assured, then. Keep up your spirits."
" They keep up of themselves," said Jean, with a light laugh.
" Very well ; then we will return together, and you will see her
again."
On the next day Dr. Haworth rode to the Town of Abbeyville
and mailed his letter to Senor Espartero. He then returned home-
ward, and either designedly or unconsciously followed the road
leading by Mauricewood. About a mile from the town he heard
hoof-strokes behind him rapidly approaching, and turned his head.
The person following him was Col. Ross.
58 COL. ROSS.
XIII.
COL. ROSS.
COL. Ross rode as usual a very fine animal and was elegantly
dressed. His light brown ulster of the finest cloth half covered his
superb riding boots, on which he wore silver spurs. His black rid-
ing cap was trimmed with fur, which also decorated the cuff ^ of his
kid gauntlets. With his tall person, his erect seat in the English
saddle, his delicately curled mustache and his ready smile, Col. Ross
was the model of a " gallant cavalier."
" Good morning, Gen. Haworth," he said as he rode up. " We
seem to be riding in the same direction. A charming day."
Dr. Haworth, as we may as well continue to call him. in spite
of the title of general thus applied to him, bowed and said : " A
delightful morning," after which the two men rode on side by side.
" In the very first place," said Col. Ross, with a courteous smile,
"let me make you an apology; General."
" An apology ? You owe me none," replied Dr. Haworth, in his
composed voice.
" For meeting you so formally at Mr. Maurice's. I had not an-
ticipated the pleasure of seeing you, and supposed that I was de-
ceived by a resemblance. This must be my excuse for so ungra-
cious a reception of an old friend."
When Col. Ross said "old friend," he showed a row of very
fine white teeth under his black mustache.
" It was unpardonable ! " he added.
" Nothing was more natural," said Dr. Haworth.
" I am glad you are so charitable. I was annoyed by the idea
that you might suppose our little differences down yonder had made
me unfriendly." This time Col. Ross laughed. " The little affair
in Callao harbor, you know ! " he said.
" A trifle," replied Dr. Haworth. " A difference of flags does
not necessarily make men enemies."
"Surely not. I was in the Chilian sen-ice, and you in that of
Peru. As a consequence, when we chanced to meet sword in hand,
we fought as a matter of course."
", As a matter of course," said Dr. Haworth, who seemed willing
that his companion should bear the burden of the conversation.
" It has always struck me as somewhat singular that two officers
COL. ROSS.
59
of the land forces should have been engaged in that affair," said Col.
Ross. " A soldier ought to be contented with the amount of fight-
ing which falls to his lot in his proper place to avoid volunteering."
" You are right. I had myself gone on board the Peruvian
steamer on a mere matter of business when that ingenious attempt
was made to blow up the vessel. Were you aware of it ? "
" Well, I was not the author of it. Like yourself I was on board
ship by mere accident."
" The device was not your own, then ? "
" Mine ? No, indeed. I confess I should never have imagined
such a thing ! " The Colonel laughed and added : " It was worthy
of those Chilian people, who, between you and me, are a bad lot.
Our American people would never have thought of fitting a market-
boat with a submerged torpedo, filling it with bananas and clusters
of white grapes, and turning it adrift in the direction of your war
vessel."
"As you say, the invention was original."
" It was only explained to me after its execution by the com-
mander of the Conquestador, with whom I was conversing on the
deck of that ship. He pointed to the boat as it drifted toward your
steamer and said : ' There is a prize our Peruvian friends are going
to haul in with a boat hook.' And then he explained that the sub-
merged torpedo at the prow of the boat would blow you sky-high ! "
" He was nearly right."
" Unfortunately. I say unfortunately because such things are
repugnant to my instincts as a North American. I protested, but,
of course, had no right to give orders on the ship. I had no choice
but to return to shore, or take part in the fight which followed."
" That is plain."
" So, when the Conquestador bore down on you, I thought I
would stay and see the affair. One of your sailors, you will remem-
ber, threw a rope and boat hook to catch the boat, with its load of
fresh fruits and vegetables. It sheered off as it exploded, which was
all that saved you, and then we came to close quarters."
" In which I can testify that you bore your share."
Col. Ross bowed politely.
" I am able to bear the same testimony in regard to yourself,
General. You were a thunderbolt ! Excuse my grand language.
You know it is the fashion with our dear South Americans, who ir--
variably cry ' God and liberty ! ' when they are about to thrust their
5o COL. KOSS.
hands into anybody's pockets. I had the honor, I remember, of
meeting you sword in hand."
" After cutting down some of my best men, including a favorite
young body servant."
" I had forgotten that. In fact, the result of things was so un-
pleasant as to obscure my recollection of particular incidents. You
captured your assailant, the Conquestador, and I had the pleasure of
a brief residence as a prisoner at Lima, when I was exchanged. I
had nearly forgotten all this, but seeing you again has reminded me
of it."
" Naturally. Do you make any stay in the United States ? "
" Well, I really do not know. I have a little business."
" Take care ! I shall understand what it is without being
told."
" Ah ! " said Col. Ross quietly.
" Every North American who has business with South America
at this time is either a railway contractor or an agent of the guano
or nitrate claimants."
Col. Ross laughed and said :
" I have heard much of these latter."
" Landreau and Cochet are the French claimants, I believe."
" I think so or rather their representatives ; the men them-
selves are dead."
" Will the United States interpose ? "
" I really do not know but see that vista through the oaks !
Decidedly, there is no comparison between North and South
America."
Dr. Haworth evidently acquiesced in the change of topic.
" I prefer this country," he said, " but shall probably return to
Lima at the end of autumn. I find the climate here too agreeable
to leave it before I am obliged to do so."
" It is charming, like the society. I see you have made the ac-
quaintance of my friends at Mauricewood."
" I have had that pleasure," said Dr. Haworth.
" You could not have been more fortunate. I had the honor of
escorting the ladies this summer on ,a tour to Canada, and greatly
enjoyed their society ; in addition to which I had the conviction that
I was performing a good action." .
" A good action ? "
" By relieving Mr. Timothy Maurice of the necessity of escorting
COL. ROSS. 6 1
the ladies. He wished to remain at home ; and nothing pleased me
more than to be able to do something to oblige him."
" I see you are a friend of his. He is an interesting gentleman.
I have seen him frequently, and have been much interested in hh
reminiscences especially by his account of the singular death o
his brother, Mr. James Maurice."
" Yes, that was a sad affair, and surrounded, as you say, by very
singular incidents," replied Col. Ross.
" It strangely impressed me, even the narration of it. It must
have terribly shocked Mr. Maurice's friends and family ? "
" Terribly."
" As you are a resident of this neighborhood it is possible that
you were acquainted with the murdered man."
" Yes, I had seen him frequently."
" I think I remember," said Dr. Haworth, " that Mr. Timothy
Maurice spoke of your intimacy with his nephew, John Maurice in
South America, was it not ? "
Col. Ross looked sidewise at his companion, just sufficient to
bring his face within the range of vision.
" Yes, I was acquainted with Mr. John Maurice in South
America," he said. Dr. Haworth listening, keenly discerned in the
tone of his companion the caution of a swordsman standing on
guard.
" So you were not intimate with him ? "
" I was not."
" I only asked," said Dr. Haworth indifferently. " The degree
of our intimacy with people naturally measures our sympathy when
any misfortune befalls them. Mr. Maurice, the younger, must have
been shocked by the mysterious death of his uncle and father-in-
law."
" Very naturally."
" I say mysterious," continued Dr. Haworth, " because, so far as
I have ascertained, there has never been any satisfactory demon-
stration that the affair took place as it was supposed to have done."
" I think some doubt still exists," said Col. Ross.
" I mean that the question who really committed the murder has
never been answered."
" It was answered in one sense by the verdict of the jury," said
Col. Ross.
" But you think there is still doubt ? "
62 COL. JfOSS.
" 1 think the affair has never been wholly cleared up."
" To what view did you incline that Mr. Ducis, the person con*
victed of the crime, was the really guilty person ? "
CoL Ross did not look sidewise this time his eyes were fixed
upon the mane of his horse. He mused apparently for a moment,
and then said :
"Well, I really have never been able to come to any distinct con-
clusion on the subject. The case is altogether a labyrinth. If I re-
member there were three or four persons charged with the crime,
but the fact remains that Mr. Ducis was convicted while the rest
were discharged."
< "Do you think he was guilty ? "
" It is hard to believe it He was a most honorable gentleman."
" Why, then, did the jury convict him ? "
*" " Well, my impression is that theySvere forced, as they supposed,
to bring in a verdict in accordance with the evidence."
" Which traced the murder to Mr. Ducis ? "
" They seem to have taken that view at least, but I think I have
heard that it was meant as a form only."
"A form?"
" I think it was the general impression that the Executive would
pardon Mr. Ducis, and the jury were reported to be ready to sign a
petition to that effect."
"Did they do so?"
" I believe not. The death of Mr. Ducis from paralysis, the re-
sult of mental excitement, is said to have forestalled it."
Dr. Haworth rode on in silence. After a while he said :
"As Mr. Ducis was convicted, the other persons accused of the
crime were discharged, I suppose."
"No doubt."
" Well, I fear I weary you with the prolonged discussion of this
curious old affair. I can only say that it has presented itself to me
in the light of an interesting puzzle. There is a great attraction in
such incidents when we meet with them in real life, instead of in fic-
tion. And yet the writers of fiction are sometimes valuable detect-
ives. If we could resuscitate Edgar Poe and put him on the scent
of this affair, I think he would unravel it."
" Do you think so ? "
" Yes ; his powers of analysis were wonderful, and I think he
would reach the conclusion that I myself have reached."
DR. HA WORTH'S IDEA.
6 3
Col. Ross turned his head slightly.
"Then you have formed a theory on the subject? " he said.
" A distinct one."
" May I ask what it is ? "
" It might weary you."
" You need have no such fear, General. I am really anxious to
hear your view."
" I will state it then," said Dr. Haworth.
There was a moment's silence ; the footfalls of the horses going
at a steady walk were heard keeping time to each other. Dr.
Haworth seemed to be reflecting ; Col. Ross was looking sharply
ahead apparently, but with the corner of his eye watched his com-
panion's face. It was, however, a perfectly calm face and expressed
nothing.
XIV.
DR. HAWORTH'S IDEA.
IT was in the midst of this silence that Dr. Haworth said in a
composed voice :
" The simple question is who entered the Mauricewood house on
the night of May 7, 1860, and put to death Mr. James Maurice is
it not ? "
" Yes."
" That is the precise date of the crime, I believe."
" You are no doubt correct. It had escaped my memory."
" My information is derived from Mr. Timothy Maurice."
Col. Ross inclined his head, but made no reply.
" The crime of murder having thus been committed," continued
Dr. Haworth, " the interesting point to be ascertained is the author
of the crime. Such an author was supposed to be found. He was
a neighbor who had had an altercation with the murdered man a
few days before had threatened to have his blood and the weapon
with which the blow was struck was apparently shown to belong to
him."
"Yes."
" One of his riding-gloves was also found near the spot."
" Yes."
" And he failed to prove an alleged alibi."
64 DR. If A WORTH'S IDEA.
" That is correct, I believe."
" Thus the murder seemed to be brought home to him, but there
was a serious objection to the theory of his guilt. He was a gentle-
man of the highest character, and the very family of the murdered
man refused to believe that he could have committed the crime.
He protested his innocence, but was convicted, when the tragedy
ended in a manner not usual in the case of hardened c'riminals the
accused died of paralysis produced by despair at having been thought
capable of the commission of so cowardly a crime."
"In other words," said Colonel Ross coolly, "Mr. Duci? was not
guilty, you think. Concede the fact. Who was ? The woman-
servant or the manager ? "
" There was little or nothing to support such a view. Women
rarely commit murder, and the man was afraid of his employer."
" Well, that clears the way for your own theory, no doubt ? "
" Yes ; the way, as you express it, is clear. Mr. Ducis did not
kill James Maurice ; the criminals were neither the woman Pitts nor
the man Wilkins. Who, then, you ask, was the murderer? I reply
that I cannot tell you who he was, but I think I can tell you what
he was."
" Ah ! " said Col. Ross, with an air of interest.
" He was a personal enemy a cowardly assassin who, fearing
to attack in open day, resolved to steal on his victim unawares and
put him to death under the shadow of darkness without risk."
" The affair was then what is called a secret vengeance ? "
" Yes ! You employ the exact phrase to describe it a secret
vengeance. Secret since it was committed at midnight ; a ven-
geance, not a mere burglary and robbery complicated with murder."
" Well," said Col. Ross quietly, " who was this man in pursuit of
blood, not money ? "
" I have said that I do not know."
"What was he that is to say, what was his character ? You
have your theory, you say."
" A fully developed one. It was neither a vulgar robber, nor a
bungling manslayer blinded by passion or fear. He was a man of
brains and precaution. He had resolved to attain his object, the
death of his enemy, without personal risk, without chance of dis-
covery, and he matured and executed his plan in the most skillful
manner."
" I am not sure I understand."
DR. HA WORTH'S WE A. 65
" I will endeavor to explain my meaning clearly ; and as nothing
is better to convey one's idea than a resort to illustration, I will
adopt a simple one to define my hypothesis. Say that I or you I
bring the matter home to ourselves, you see resolve to put an
enemy out of the way. But we are men of intelligence, of fore-
thought, and perfectly aware that murder is a dangerous proceed-
ing ; that a vengeance which draws down vengeance in turn on the
head of the avenger is a very poor business badly arranged, in a
word."
" Well."
" You are then a man of intelligence, I say, for you will allow me
for the sake of argument to suppose that you were the real mur-
derer of Mr. James Maurice."
" It is rather an unflattering hypothesis," said Col. Ross, with
a slightly grating laugh, " but you may assume it if you fancy doing
so."
" Well, then I assume it. You have your motive, which may be
this or that. Your personal cause for hatred is known only to your-
self and is not a necessary part of my theory such hatred exists,
let us say."
"Yes."
" You hate your enemy then, and resolve to destroy him as se-
cretly, as silently as possible, in such a manner that no suspicion
should point to you ; so that afterwards you might walk openly before
all men with head erect, enter the court room where an innocent
man was arraigned for committing the crime committed by your-
self, listen calmly to all the testimony, see the innocent man con-
victed, and go home laughing in your sleeve at the farce called jus-
tice."
" That is rather fanciful," said Col. Ross, attempting to laugh.
" You are aware that it is only a fancy employed for the purpose
of illustration ? "
"True."
"Well, to proceed, say that such was your plan the path you
had traced out for yourself the path beginning with a secret mur-
der and ending in profound security."
" I conceive your idea," said Col. Ross in a satirical tone, " but
it seems to me rather forced. Why not waylay your enemy in-
stead of entering his house and striking him in the midst of his
household ? "
66 DR. II A WORTH'S IDEA.
" Waylay him ? "
" In some hollow of the woods, let us say fire on him and gallop
away ? "
" Nothing would be more absurd. The body is found and an
inquest is summoned ; there are one, two, three persons who are
anxious to testify."
"They are unable to testify to anything, since they witnessed
nothing."
" They are able to testify to more than you suppose. One re-
members that your enemy, whose body is lying yonder with a hole
through it, rode in the direction of the spot where the murder took
place, about 5 o'clock in the evening. Another remembers you
about the same hour going in the same direction. A third heard a
pistol shot, and a few moments afterwards observed you riding at
ull speed past the field in which he was at work. Under the pain-
ful circumstances the coroner or magistrate would regret the neces-
sity of arresting you on suspicion."
Col. Ross laughed in the same grating manner.
" Your fancy is vivid," he said, " but I call your attention to the
fact that your highly intelligent criminal would have his explanation
ready. He would know nothing about the pistol shot for I sup-
pose the murder would be committed by means of a revolver. He
would acknowledge that he had been in the vicinity he had been
going to visit a friend, say ; but, remembering that he had forgotten
to mail an important letter, had hurried back to do so. Any simple
explanation would serve to explain everything."
'' And any simple circumstance would serve to contradict every-
thing. The wisest man overlooks something. The least trifle
would convict you. The prints of hoofs are found in the road, stop-
ping at a certain spot, and then returning. They are measured, and
found to be those of your riding-horse so you turned back to mail
your letter at the very spot where the body was found."
" And you would hang me on the strength of that ! " said Col.
Ross.
" There would be more there is at least the possibility. You
employ a derringer, not a revolver, and in loading use a wad of
paper. The wad is carried into the wound inflicted, extracted, un-
rolled it is the envelope of a letter with your name upon it."
" Well, then I see I am done for. I would be wrong, I acknowl-
edge, to waylay my enemy ! "
DR. HAWORTH' S IDEA. 6/
" It would be dangerous, and you would reject the idea. You
would resort to something safer and more skillful to reach your
end."
" To burglary and homicide ? "
"Yes."
" That seems to me much more desperate the risk of discovery
a thousand times greater."
" If unskillfully executed but remember that you are a skillful
man a man of brains, as I have said. You would so arrange mat-
ters that no one would ever suspect you."
" We are coming, now, I think, to the details of your theory."
" Yes."
" I confess I do not understand precisely."
" I will explain. You will resolve to throw suspicion upon an-
other person."
" Ah, I I begin to see."
" You would reconnoitre the house and ascertain where your
enemy slept discover that his bedchamber was on the ground floor
and could be easily entered. Then you would endeavor to secure
some weapon belonging to some one to be afterwards identified.
Fortune might favor you ; you might get possession of a hammer
of peculiar shape known to be the property of a particular person.
You might secrete this weapon ; steal into the house at midnight,
commit the crime. Drop a glove similar to that worn by the owner
of the hammer, and erase the figures in a warehouse ledger estab-
lishing an alibi in favor of the innocent man."
" There was no erasure ! " exclaimed Col. Ross. " That is to
say pardon my interruption there seemed to be none, if I was
rightly informed."
" I am merely supposing a case," said Dr. Haworth.
" And such is your theory of the murder, sir ? You think that
Mr. Ducis was innocent ? "
" Yes," answered Dr. Haworth.
" That some mysterious unknown, as the romance writers say,
was guilty ? "
" Yes that he planned the crime, gained possession of the deadly
weapon, stole to the sleeping mansion, raised the window sash of his
victim's bedchamber, approached the bed without noise, and struck
the blow on his temple, under which he started up, struggling and
groaning in the death agony ! "
68 -DR. HA WORTH'S 7 HE A..
Col. Ross made no reply.
" Then the rest duly followed. The murderer dropped his mur-
derous weapon beside the bed, where it was to be found the glove
outside as he escaped through the window you could defy the
keenest detective then to show that you had any connection with
the transaction."
" Really, that is a flattering supposition that I could be so skill-
ful ! " said Col. Ross with the same harsh laugh.
" If you were like some human beings I have known you would
be proud of your skill. You would feel that you had outwitted
everybody. Your enemy would be dead ; an honest man, innocent
of the offense, would be convicted in your stead ; his name would
be dishonored, his family overwhelmed with disgrace, while you
you who committed the crime you, the real murderer, moved about
unsuspected, attended the funeral of your victim, the trial of the ac-
cused, saluted the court, talked with the constables, heard the ver-
dict and went home in triumph ! No one would dare to utter a
whisper against so respectable a person. You would remain an or-
nament of society, people would take off their hats to you, women
v^puld smile upon you, you would appear in your pew at church,
you would drink your wine, utter your jest, laughing in your sleeve
as I have said you, the bloody assassin, the murderer of two human
beings, the hypocrite and whited sepulchre, who ought to feel around
your neck in place of your silk cravat the hangman's rope."
Col. Ross rode on, sitting erect in his saddle, but a slight shud-
der passed through his vigorous frame. They went on for some
moments in silence. Then he said in a perfectly cool voice :
" Very well ; that is rather a curious theory. You will allow me
to compliment you on your acuteness at least, Gen. Haworth."
Dr. Haworth had turned his head and was looking at him.
" You regard it as a mere theory, then ? " he said.
" I venture to regard it in that light. It is scarcely necessary to
point out the objections which suggest themselves to such an hy-
pothesis. There was no such enemy of the Maurices in the coun-
try that I have ever heard of ; .and then the theory, you will allow
me to repeat, resembles rather what we find in romances than in
real life."
" Real life is quite as curious as any romance I have ever met
with."
" Well, that may be true, possibly, and I have at least been much
DR. II A WORTH'S IDEA. 69
interested in your discussion of this strange affair. I am not suffi-
ciently familiar with criminal matters to form an opinion, and I was
absent from the country when this affair took place. At least, there
is no longer any feeling of distress at Mauricewood in regard to this
tragic occurrence. It is happily forgotten, and the real criminal,
whoever he may have been, is no doubt dead. I am going to visit
our friends to-day. I see we are in sight of the house. Do you
come in ? "
" I shall be obliged to return."
They were soon at the white gate by which the country road
passed. Col. Ross bowed and entered, while Dr. Haworth rode on
in the. direction of the hill country.
He had no sooner turned his back on Col. Ross than his face,
which had remained perfectly composed during their conversation,
assumed an expression indicative of great disgust.
" That man makes me sick," he muttered. " Is he the real
criminal I never was so tempted ! When he said : ' There was no
such enemy of Mr. Maurice in the country,' it was on my very lips
to say, ' Which Mr. Maurice do you mean ? Mr. James Maurice,
the uncle, or Mr. John Maurice, the nephew ? ' It was not the eldcc.
Maurice who was struck at, but Maurice the younger. He was to
have slept in that chamber ; for days the bride's presents were ex-
hibited in it upon the bridal couch. The change was only made on
the night of the marriage. Who then struck at John Maurice there ?
Was it or was it not the man who had fought with him about a
woman, and who hated his successful rival ? He may not have
struck the blow himself may have been really absent. Did he
not suborn others to do so the woman Pitts or the man Wilkins
and was not this the meaning of his night visit to their house in^
the hills, the suborner of murder going to caution the tools of his
crime ? "
Dr. Haworth rode on in deep thought. His acute and pene-
trating mind saw here and there a flaw in this apparently flawless
theory. It was improbable that a man so intelligent as Ross would
have put himself in the power of those degraded creatures con-
ceived a project so hazardous that he would not have preferred to
quarrel with his enemy on some pretext and shoot him. But there
was the obstinate fact that he had ridden by night to warn the mur-
derers if they were the murderers.
A last subject of reflection to Dr. Haworth was the singular fact
7<D DR. II A WORTH'S IDEA.
that if Col. Ross had procured the death of John Maurice, he was
now paying his addresses to John Maurice's daughter !
" Men are vile enough for anything when they listen only to their
passions," he muttered. " This one is of that sort, and I have only
to keep my hands off of him to let him succeed. Am I apt to do
that?"
A grim smile came to Dr. Haworth's lips, and a latent fire in his
eyes showed a powerful organization moved and strung for action.
" It is not probable," he muttered harshly. " If I had no other
motive for bringing everything connected with this black business
to light, I would do almost anything to prevent that ! "
PART II.
COL. ROSS AND DR. HAWORTH.
DR. HAWORTH IS AFRAID.
IT was about the middle of autumn, and Dr. Haworth and Jean
Baptiste had been, for some time, inmates of Mauricewood.
Having been urged anew by Mr. Tim Maurice to make them a
visit ostensibly for the pleasure of his society, but quite as much to
secure an adversary at chess Dr. Haworth had ended by accept-
ing the invitation, and had come with Jean to take up his residence
for a short time at the old manorhouse.
For this he had his reasons. Among them was an incident of a
rather curious character, which had taken place soon after his inter-
view with Col. Ross.
He had gone out hunting one day or rather to wander in the
solitude of the hill country, and reflect when his meditations sud-
denly ended.
A bullet whistled by his head, and looking up quickly for he
had been seated upon a ledge of granite with his carbine resting
easily upon his knee he saw a puff of smoke rise from the woods
about 200 yards in front of him.
Dr. Haworth was a man of great promptness and had an ardent
curiosity to ascertain why he had been fired at. That was difficult,
but seemed practicable. The spot where he had seated himself was
nearly encircled by laurels, and entering them, he made a circuit,
and reached the point from which he had observed the puff of
smoke rise. No one was to be seen there, and nodding his head as
if the fact did not surprise him, Dr. Haworth went straight toward
the cabin of the man and woman Wilkins, about a mile distant.
72 &K- If A IVOR Til IS AFRAID.
The woman, looking as slatternly and as disheveled as ever, was
washing soiled clothes in an old discolored tub near the door of the
house, and at the sound of the cur in the kennel turned around and
saw the visitor.
" Is your husband at home to-day, madam ? " asked Dr. Ha-
worth.
" He's away somewhere," she replied with a side look.
" Hunting, perhaps."
" I don't know."
Steps were heard approaching some twigs cracked under them
in the thicket.
" He is coming back," said Dr. Haworth, quietly.
The man Wilkins make his appearance at the moment, in the
edge of the thicket, rifle in hand, and seeing Dr. Haworth, made a
movement to conceal himself. As he saw that this was impossible,
he came forward and coolly ducked his head by way of greeting to
the visitor.
" I see you have been hunting," said Dr, Haworth, looking at
the rifle.
" After a deer seen in these parts lately."
" Did you get sight of him ! "
" I thought I seen him in the bushes, and fired at him, but it
were nothing."
" Nothing ? "
" I went there and there was no hoofprints. I spect it was a
trick of the light. That ofting happens."
The explanation seemed perfectly satisfactory to Dr. Haworth.
Nothing was more natural than that a huntsman should fire upon
what he supposed to be the game he was hunting. There was only
one flaw in Mr. Wilkins' statement. He had not been near the spot
where he, Dr. Haworth, had been seated. On the contrary it was
plain that he had rapidly retired in the opposite direction.
Any discussion on the subject did not seem necessary, apparent-
ly, to the visitor. He remained a few moments longer conversing in
a commonplace way, and then took his departure, with the air of a
man who has no special object beyond a ramble with the view of
getting a shot at something. Having gained the woods, however,
he went straight home. Jean Baptiste saw him approaching and
came to meet him, when Dr. Haworth stopped and made a sign.
The boy hastened toward him and Dr. Haworth said :
DR. II A WORTH IS AFRAID.
73
"I am afraid you find this place rather lonely, Jean."
" The home in the hHls here, Excellency ? I like it of all
things."
" It strikes me as rather a solitary retreat the fact is, I want
society. On the whole, I think I will accept an invitation I have
received to Mauricewood Mrs. Maurice's, you know, where I visit
frequently."
" Would you like that better, Excellency ? "
" I think so."
" Then I like it better," said Jean, smiling. " Am I to go, too ?
I hope so."
" Certainly, the invitation includes you. The family are aware
that you and I are inseparable. I have informed them that you are
my friend and traveling companion."
" Your Excellency is so good ! "
" I see no proof of goodness in that. Then the matter is ar*
ranged. Pack the valise I will go to-morrow."
" The horses ? "
" We will take them, of course."
Jean nodded and walked back with Dr. Havvorth, who retired to
his chamber.
" Well, all that is plain enough," he said. " War is declared, it
seems, and the first gun has been fired. These people are playing
a bold game it is a proof that they are awake to their danger. Did
my friend, the Colonel, suggest that deer hunt to his friend, Job
Wilkins ? It is possible, but not probable. I think it was a brilliant
conception of Mr. Wilkins himself. Does he mean to shoot me to
prevent my hanging him ? If so he has been concerned in one
hanging affair, at least ! "
After saying this Dr. Haworth reflected for about half an hour
without moving in his chair. He then muttered :
" Yes, I will go away from this lonely place it is too conven-
ient and I am afraid. A bullet better aimed than the last would
leave my friend, the Colonel, free to carry out his programme of
matrimony. I am an obstacle. I think he would like to remove
me he or his friend, Mr. Wilkins. There is no guarding against
such skillful people as long as I am in this hill country if they hold
the trumps they will play them. As I am afraid, therefore, I will
move my quarters."
On the same afternoon Dr. Haworth rode to Mauricewood and
* DR. HA IVOR Til IS AFRAID.
said to Mr. Tim Maurice, who met him with a hospitable smile, on
the veranda :
" I have resolved to accept your obliging invitation, sir, and make
you a short visit with my young friend Jean."
At these words Mr. Tim Maurice beamed with satisfaction. He
saw before him unending games of chess.
" Nothing could give us more pleasure, Doctor ! " he exclaimed
with a cordial pressure of his guest's hand.
" Are you sure it will not inconvenience you ? "
' " Inconvenience us in this large house ? There are countless
spare chambers."
" I accept one, then, with many thanks, for myself and Jean, my
young traveling companion. At home he is my private secretary,
with his seat at my table and his pallet in my sleeping-room."
" He will be as welcome as yourself at Mauricewood, Doctor.
You will come to-night I hope."
" I shall not be able to do so until to-morrow."
" I am sorry. To-morrow, then, without faiJ, remember."
And as Miss Gary Maurice floated down the staircase at that
moment Mr. Tim Maurice exclaimed :
" Dr. Haworth has promised to make us a visit, Gary."
Miss Gary received this announcement with polite smiles.
" I am very glad."
" And I am delighted," exclaimed Mr. Tim Maurice. " I am
certain that if I only get a fair pull at you I can checkmate you,
Doctor ! "
" I will try to prevent you from doing so," said Dr. Haworth,
bowing.
After which, friendly conversation ensued and he took his de-
parture.
On the next day Dr. Haworth and Jean bade good-by to honest
Hunter Wilson, who promised to send their traveling valises after
them, rode to Mauricewood, and were installed in an up-stairs cham-
ber affording a view of the lawn in front. The chamber was a model
of comfort and neatness. Miss Gary Maurice had seen to it in
person.
COL. KOSS MAKES A MORNING CALL. 75
II.
COL. ROSS MAKES A MORNING CALL.
THE days at Mauricewood succeeded and resembled each
other.
The autumn was slowly fading ; the yellow leaves floating to the
green carpet beneath, and the red turning, hour by hour, to a richer
russet. Often not a sound disturbed the silence but the lazy caw of
a passing crow. The year was going, wrapped in balmy airs and
golden mist.
The outer world is unimportant, however, when the inner is full
of attractions. Dr. Haworth found Mauricewood a pleasant place
after his lonely sojourn in the hills. The family, consisting of Mr.
Tim Maurice, his niece Mrs. Maurice, and Miss Gary, had received
an addition to it in the person of a young seamstress, Miss Burns,
from the neighboring town of Abbeyville but as Miss Burns only
appeared at meals, with the rest of the family, Dr. Haworth saw
very little of her, and had not advanced beyond a bow.
He was apparently quite satisfied with the society of the two
ladies and Mr. Tim Maurice. He and Mrs. Maurice conversed a
great deal upon South America and other topics, and the pleased
smile on the gentle face indicated that the lady had conceived a sin-
cere regard for her visitor. Mr. Tim Maurice was chiefly solicitous
about his darling hobby. " Well, Doctor, a delightful day," was
almost always followed by, " Shall we try a game ? " and the game
almost always took place.
As to Miss Gary, that was different. She and Dr. Haworth did
not have many interviews private interviews, that is to say. In
some manner these seemed to be prevented. When they were in
danger of being left alone together, Miss Gary always discovered
that she was obliged to run up stairs for a moment that household
matters required her attention that she had forgotten something
she would soon be back. But her engagements had a mysterious
fashion of prolonging themselves, and preventing her from returning
to enjoy Dr. Haworth's society until some other member of the
family appeared, when she returned at once.
What was the meaning of all this ? Dr. Haworth asked himself
the question, but gave it up in despair.
Then, after a while, he asked himself another question W 7 as he
j-6 COL. ROSS MAKES A MORNING CALL.
going to fall in love with Miss Gary Maurice ? Had he not done so
in a measure already ?
When he faced this problem his face clouded over, and a cold
light settled in his eyes. One day he muttered :
" That would be idiotic. I am a mere acquaintance, a passing
stranger, with a glum face and nearly twice her age. And that's
not all. I have not come here to make love to a girl. Something
very different brings me 1 have no time for fooling."
This something occupied his mind at all hours of the day. He
was far from social. He took solitary walks in the grounds under
the oaks, so old now that they were dying at the top ; and whoever
chanced to pass him could see that his brows were knit together,
his thoughts busy with some problem. If Miss Gary Maurice had
made an impression on him he was not pursuing a judicious method
of agreeably impressing her.
He was thinking eternally of Col. Ross and his probable connec-
tion as principal or accessory with the crime at Mauricewood. Up to
a certain point everything seemed clear, beyond that point all was
vague. Was this smiling gentleman the real criminal ? It was im-
possible ! Human nature could not be unfathomably vile. The
man would never have been able to discuss the affair so coolly ;
would have shunned coming near Mauricewood ; would have shrunk
from the very idea of paying his addresses to John Maurice's daugh-
ter. But there were the undeniable facts. He had warned these
people to be on their guard. He had quarreled and fought with
John Maurice ; doubtless hating him for supplanting him with the
woman both had loved. There was sufficient motive, and once or
twice in their conversation Dr. Haworth had heard the voice of Col.
Ross indicate a secret apprehension.
" I will know all sooner or later," he said one day as he was tak-
ing one of his lonely walks. " I wonder if that bullet that grazed
my head was fired by his order ? I doubt it but nothing is certain
in dealing with such a man. That is a trifle ; the main point is to
take him unawares ; to force him into a corner where his crime, if
he committed the crime, will confront him ; to watch him and de-
cide the question, in my own mind at least. How am I to do that ? "
He reflected for a quarter of an hour, walking slowly and looking
at the ground. Then he exclaimed :
" If I could! Well, that might be clone with a little skill ! I
think it might be arranged. I'll try, at least ! "
COL. ROSS MAKES A MORNING CALL, jj
One day Col. Ross drove to Mauricewood. If he came to see
Miss Gary Maurice, which was probable, the fates were against him.
The young lady was suffering from a severe headache, and, after
hospitably receiving Col. Ross, Mrs. Maurice smiled and returned to
her daughter.
Col. Ross was evidently very much disappointed the headache
was apparently bona fide, and might confine Miss Cary for the rest
of the day. Courtesy required, however, that he should not go away
abruptly, so he sat conversing in a friendly manner with Mr. Tim
Maurice and Dr. Haworth.
" I congratulate you," he said to the latter, " on your pleasant
quarters here. You must find them more cheerful than the hills."
" A great deal more cheerful," replied Dr. Haworth. " I am
fond of hunting, but found there were some drawbacks. There was
very little society and some risk."
" Risk ? "
" The danger of being shot."
Col. Ross looked a little puzzled.
" Shot by accident, I mean," said Dr. Haworth. " That is not
unusual in wooded districts where separate parties or individuals
are out hunting."
" I think I understand your meaning."
" There is danger of being taken for game. You push aside the
bushes in passing through some thicket, and a hunter at his stand
takes you for a deer or a wild turkey. He therefore puts a bullet
through you, and when he rushes forward to secure his prize, is
much shocked and deeply regrets having shot you, and hopes you
will pardon his awkwardness."
Col. Ross laughed and said :
" That's rather a poor consolation."
" Very poor. You accept his apology, of course, with your last
breath ; but a more agreeable state of things would be not to be
shot."
" Yes ; I think I have heard of such accidents."
Col. Ross uttered the words so naturally that Dr. Haworth's
doubts were dispelled, or nearly. It was improbable that he had
had anything to do wilh the affair. When Wilkins had suggested
it, on the night of the ride, Col. Ross had not dissuaded him, but it
was more than probable that Wilkins had acted from his own im-
pulse to get rid of a dangerous adversary.
^S COf.. A\ .' , * ILL.
" Well, your change of quarters to Mauricewood," said Col. Ross,
" is defensible on every ground. It is safer and far more agreeable."
" Much more so. All is cheerful and attractive with one excep-
tion."
" One exception ? "
" Perhaps I ought not to have referred to it, as the subject is, no
doubt, painful to Mr. Maurice."
" Oh ! you mean the locked-up room," said Mr. Tim Maurice.
" Yes, sir."
" It is a somewhat sorrowful feature of the house, I agree."
" I fear I was indiscreet."
" Not at all, Doctor."
" But the subject has a morbid attraction for me. Perhaps the
fact that this room has been closed for twenty years has made me
curious to see it."
" To see it ? Would you care to see it ? " said Mr. Maurice.
" I confess I should like to."
" There is no objection, whatever, to showing it to you, and per-
haps Col. Ross might also be interested."
Dr. Haworth did not look at Col. Ross, but he listened acutely
to the tones of his voice as he replied :
" I cannot say that my curiosity is quite as keen as our friend's,
but I should be glad to see the place."
" Then I will go and get the key. I can do so without the knowl-
edge of my niece, who is in her chamber. It might sadden her to be
reminded of it. I shall not mind it myself. I will be back in a mo-
ment, gentlemen."
Mr. Tim Maurice then went up the staircase with his rapid step
and disappeared in search of the key. Dr. Haworth looked in a
casual and unconcerned manner at Col. Ross, who was standing
within a few feet of him. Their glances met.
" So you are really interested in this old affair, General or Doc-
tor, as you appear to prefer that title," said Col. Ross.
" It is simpler and attracts less attention," said Dr. Haworth,
replying to the last portion of the sentence.
" Then, you do not wish to attract attention ? It is a somewhat
uncommon virtue."
" I do not. I have always preferred passing through life quietly
the dcgito moustrari has no charms for me."
" Well, everything is a matter of taste. Most persons prefer as
IN THE LOCKED ROOM.
79
sounding a title as possible, especially when traveling. The hotel
keepers bow lower, and put you in better quarters."
It was obvious that both men were best pleased to converse on
other subjects than the locked room. As Mr. Maurice returned at
this moment that subject was resumed.
" I found the key, after a short search," he said, " and have said
nothing to the ladies of our intention. It is quite unnecessary."
He then inserted the heavy key into the brass lock and pushed
open the door. It creaked on its hinges, and a cloud of dust fell
from the upper edge.
" This is the room," said the old gentleman, entering.
Dr. Havvorth followed him, not looking towards Col. Ross, but
listening to be certain that he was behind him. His firm tread was
heard striking the hard floor in a measured manner, and when the.
rest stopped he stopped also...
It was a chamber of lofty pitch, with a shining bare floor, two
large windows opening on the veranda ; a wide fireplace, in which
some blackened embers were leaning against the brass andirons ; a
tall mantelpiece of blue-veined marble surmounted by two vases, in
which were some withered flowers ; and scattered about were easy-
chairs, a lounge, and other accessories looking to comfort. Between
the windows was a toilet-table crowned with a handsome mirror, in
front of which stood a pair of silver branches with half burned wax-
lights. The bedstead was oid-fashioned, with heavy curtains, tall
carved posts and a tester. Beside it was a night-table. The cloth-
ing on the bed was in disorder as if it had been tossed about by a
sick man laboring under fever. Nothing had been set to rights.
The occupants of the apartment seemed to have just left it only
every object was covered with dust, the dust of twenty years.
III.
IN THE LOCKED ROOM.
" THIS is the scene of the unhappy affair, gentlemen," said Mr.
Tim Maurice. " It is rather dark. I will open one of the win-
dows."
" Will you wait a moment, Mr. Maurice ! " said Dr. Haworth,
who was looking around with an expression of deep interest.
So Iff TI1F. LOCKED A'OOSf.'.
Mr. Tim Maurice turned his head as if these words puzzled him.
" I really think this dim light suits the place and the tragedy,"
said Dr. Haworth. " It aids the fancy for one of my objects in
requesting you to show me this room was to attempt to reconstruct
the scene, if I may so say, and understand the details."
" I think I see your meaning, Doctor."
" The crime was committed, no doubt, in darkness, or semi-
obscurity. If we mean to follow the movements of the assassin,
and understand how he went to work, we ought to subject ourselves
to the same conditions. Am I wrong ? " asked Dr. Haworth turn-
ing to Col. Ross.
" I think you are perfectly right," said Col. Ross quietly.
" Then we may as well leave the window closed, at least for the
present, Mr. Maurice."
" Certainly."
" Here are all the objects then connected with the murder ? "
" Yes ; just as they were. Nothing has been touched. There
is the night-table upon which my brother placed the money, and the
disordered bed clothes. You may see the mark of his head on that
pillow."
" Yes."
" The lights in the branches yonder on the toilet-table are half
burned, you see, just as they were put out when he retired ; and
there are the charred twigs in the fireplace a slight blaze had been
made, as I remember it was rather chilly."
" Yes ; spring evenings often are."
" Yonder is the window through which the murderer entered.
It was either open by accident or he raised it."
" He probably raised it. It is singular that he was not heard."
" No doubt it was done quietly by a skillful person."
" You don't mean Mr. Ducis ? "
" No, indeed ; I have already said that I have never thought for
a moment that Mr. Ducis was really guilty."
" By simply a skillful person let us say then ; but, however cau-
tious he may have been, there is another singular fact that his
steps on the bare floor did not wake the sleepers."
" He probably walked with precaution."
" That is supposable, but then there was an additional dan
ger."
" What was that ? "
7A r THE LOCKED ROOM. 8 1
" The danger of falling. Look at the floor. It is as slippery as
glass."
" The result of the old-fashioned habit of scrubbing yes,"
" The assassin then was in danger of slipping, unless he was on
his guard. That accident, indeed, might have befallen Mr. Maurice
himself."
" My brother ? "
"Yes."
Dr. Haworth took a step forward, and suddenly slipped, nearly
falling against the carved 'edge of the tall bed-post.
" You see, sir ! " he said, regaining his erect attitude. " An ac-
cident has nearly happened to me. I came near striking my tem-
ple against that carving there."
" That might have been dangerous."
" It might even have been fatal. A sudden blow on certain
parts of the head often results in death, you know."
" My poor brother was an instance."
" Your brother ? " Well, a curious idea occurs to me, Mr. Mau-
jrice. Is it not possible after all that no murder was committed in
this room ? "
" No murder?"
" That the death of James Maurice was simply the result of acci-
dent ? Why not conclude that he rose in the night, placed his feet
in his slippers, slipped on this smooth surface and fell against that
post ? A fatal contusion might have been the result."
Mr. Tim Maurice shook his head.
" I believe that theory was broached at the time," he said, " but
I have never had any faith in it."
" It is possible."
" Yes ; it is possible. A little thing will sometimes kill a man ;
but there are difficulties in the way of that explanation which I have
never been able to get over."
" What are they? "
" My brother was found in his bed."
" He may have staggered back to it. "
" His slippers, I am sure, were not on his feet."
" They may have fallen off."
" But the money that was gone."
" True, but you yourself have told me that you suspected the
housekeeper of stealing it."
82 S^ r THE LOCKED ROOM.
*' I certainly did."
" But not of committing the murder? "
" I don't think she did."
" Very well, then, consider for a moment. Your brother rises
during the night, slips on this smooth floor, strikes his temple
against the post, cries out so that you are startled up-stairs and
staggers back to bed, where you find him dying in a fainting fit
that happens to people."
Mr. Tim Maurice shook his head again.
" I do not think your idea has any real foundation, Doctor," he
said.
" And what is your opinion, sir ? " said Dr. Haworth, turning to
Col. Ross, who had been standing with his left arm across his
breast, the hand supporting his right elbow and his chin resting in
his right hand.
" My opinion ? " he said. " Well, I think your idea is very in-
genious."
" And that is all ? "
" I am unable to say how the affair really took place," said Col.
Ross.
" Naturally, sir, but we are at liberty to indulge in conjecture.
To revert then to the theory that Mr. James Maurice was murdered.
How did it take place ? "
" I really cannot inform you," said Col. Ross coolly.
" We are here on the spot the actual scene is under our eyes ;
there is the window, the bed. Let us fancy, if possible, the move-
ments of the assassin. Let us even do more you might assist
me?"
" Assist you ? " said Col. Ross, looking fixedly at Dr. Haworth.
" Yes, we have nothing better to do this fine morning. As our
aim in entering this room is to form as accurate an idea as possible
of the real occurrence, why should not you or I personate the mur-
derer, and go through all his probable movements ? "
Col. Ross made no reply.
" You would possibly succeed better than myself," said Dr. Ha-
worth. "I am a bad actor."
" I have no more ability in that particular than yourself," said
Col. Ross stiffly.
"Your modesty probably deceives you. I think Mr. Maurice
will join in my request."
IN THE LOCKED ROOM. 83
" I see nothing unreasonable in it, Doctor, and think I take your
idea."
" I decline, sir," said Col. Ross coldly, with a flash of the eye
which he seemed unable to hide.
" Then," said Dr. Haworth, " I will take your place. Is that the
window, Mr. Maurice ? "
" Yes it is bolted inside."
" Will you be good enough to unbolt it ? "
With which words Dr. Haworth went out of the room and was
heard walking along the veranda. Mr. Tim Maurice had mean-
while unbolted the sash and Venetians and returned to the side of
Col. Ross. They stood waiting.
For a moment there was a dead silence in the room. Then the
Venetians opened quietly, the sash was raised, and Dr. Haworth en-
tered through the opening. He stood for a moment looking around
him, fixed his eyes upon the curtained bed, advanced and leaned
across it, half hidden by the curtains.
Any one glancing at Col. Ross would have seen him shudder
slightly.
Mr. Tim Maurice was looking on with sorrowful attention the
curious pantomime seemed to bring back vividly all his gloomy recol-
lections.
In the midst of the dead silence Dr. Haworth uttered a slight
exclamation. Was Impersonating in turn the victim to give more
reality to the scene ? It did not seem so. The exclamation was
low and indicated surprise. Neither of the other occupants of the
room was aware of the fact, as his back was turned to them, but he
had thrust something, apparently discovered in the bed, into his
breast between his waistcoat and shirt. He then turned round
quietly.
" You see, gentlemen," he said, " the assassin must have entered
in that way and reached the bed without discovery. The curtains
were sufficient to hide him from Mr. Maurice even if he had been
awake."
He looked from Mr. Tim Maurice to Col. Ross.
" Yes," the latter said without lowering his eyes.
" I will not take trouble to make my exit in the character I have
assumed," said Dr. Haworth, " and you may as well clos*e the win-
dow, Mr. Maurice. I would make a request of Col. Ross if I was
not afraid he would object."
84 SOMETHING HAPPENS.
" A request, sir? " said Col. Ross.
" I have done my part in the first act of the drama. Is it too
much to ask that Col. Ross will now permit me to become one of
the audience ? "
" One of the audience ? "
" That you will take the part of the chief actor in the denoue-
ment," said Dr. Haworth quietly. " That is to say, that you will
advance, strike the fatal blow, and make your escape. I have done
my part let us assume now that you are the assassin ! "
Col. Ross turned away muttering : " It is unpleasant I must
decline, sir," and as Mr. Tim Maurice had now closed the sash and
Venetian they left the room, which was again securely locked. The
bright day without was like a cordial after their confinement in the
gloomy chamber, and Mr. Tim Maurice said :
" Really, Doctor, if I had known what a melancholy place that
was I think I would have sent you gentlemen in by yourselves.
Well, well you have seen the place, at least. Let us forget it and "
Mr. Tim Maurice looked fondly toward his chess-board on the
center-table of the drawing-room. To play chess with Dr. Haworth
was, however, to treat Col. Ross with scant courtesy, and nothing
followed the word "and."
The ladies not reappearing, Col. Ross finally bowed and went
away. His face indicated no emotion of any description.
IV.
SOMETHING HAPPENS.
WHEN Col. Ross reappeared at Mauricewood, which he did two
or three days afterwards, he was in a perfectly cheerful mood, and
inquired with an air of interest if Miss Cary had recovered from her
headache.
As she had not wholly recovered, but still felt a little badly, she
said, her visitor suggested a horseback ride, and she smiled and
assented.
They were away the whole afternoon, and when Col. Ross as-
sisted the young lady to dismount on her return he did so with an
air of devotion, which seemed to indicate a great deal. It was
plain, he said, with deferential courtesy, as they were all seated on
SOMETHING HAPPENS. 85
the veranda, that horseback exercise was an absolute cordial for
Miss Gary. And as Miss Gary agreed, and said that she really felt
like another person, Col. Ross suggested that she should attend
church next Sunday in that manner he would be glad to escort
her. Miss Gary replied that she would accept his escort with pleas-
ure. And then, after tarrying an hour longer, Col. Ross rode away
in the highest spirits.
On Sunday they rode to church together, and afterwards it was
noticed that they did not take the direct road home. Doubtless this
arose from the fact that a slight detour brought them to a hill which
commanded a very fine view of the surrounding country of the
beautiful champaign, the wooded hill country and the faint blue
mountains beyond.
People smiled and nodded when they rode away from the church
together. The matter was plain, and it really did seem to be.
When he went away that evening Col. Ross said that he would
not forget Miss Gary's request. As a matter of fact the request was
his own that she should amuse herseif with an excellent novel he
had just read but the discrepancy was unimportant. He brought
the volume two days afterwards, and when Mr. Tim Maurice hos-
pitably invited him to remain to dinner faintly objected, acquiesced
and remained.
After dinner Miss Gary Maurice and Col. Ross took a walk on
the lawn. Dr. Haworth, who was seated on the veranda engaged
in conversation with Mr. Tim Maurice, saw them stroll away slowly
in the evening sunshine the erect form of the gentleman bending
graciously toward his companion, and that companion looking up
with her head inclining a little sidewise, her cheeks rosy, her brown
curls fluttering and her exquisite figure assuming new attitudes full
of grace at every step. Light laughter indicated, it seemed, that the
Colonel was making himself agreeable. After a while they disap-
peared behind the oak foliage.
" As I was saying, Doctor, the practice of plowing in the winter
has a thousand advantages. The clods freeze, and when the thaw
">mes the frost in them reduces them to powder, and but, really,
you are not listening."
" Pardon my bad habit of abstraction," said Dr. Haworth. " I
follow your theory and am convinced it is sound, sir."
" I am certain of it."
And Mr. Maurice flowed on, after which he proposed chess, His
g5 SOMETHING II AT PENS.
companion promptly acquiesced, and they were thus engaged when
Miss Gary Maurice and Col. Ross returned. All his smiles had
disappeared and his figure was as rigid as a ramrod. As to the
young lady, she paused a moment to glance at the chess-board as
she passed, and then quietly left the room and tripped up-stairs.
Col. Ross, whose face was harsh and gloomy, bowed stiffly, re-
gretted that he was compelled to return home, and despite Mr. Tim
Maurice's polite remonstrance, rode away.
" Our friend, the Colonel, seems out of sorts," said Mr. Maurice,
" Checkmate, Doctor ! "
The checkmate had evidently driven Col. Ross and his expres-
sion of countenance quite out of Mr. Tim Maurice's head.
Dr. Haworth rose and said :
" I am a mere tyro. I ought not to play."
" You are not a tyro, by any means. You play a superb game !
But why on earth did you check with your knight ? The obvious
move for you "
But the obvious move was never indicated. Miss Cary came
down stairs with a celestial smile upon her lips, and entered the
drawing-room.
" At chess yet, uncle ? " she said. " You gentlemen are really
incorrigible."
" Well, we thought you were amusing yourself with our friend,
the Colonel. Why did he rush away so?"
Miss Cary quietly declined to meet Mr. Tim Maurice's look.
" I. think he mentioned that he had an engagement. He will
have a pleasant ride this delightful evening. Come to the parlor
and see the sunset, uncle."
" After I look at the position of these men on the board."
* Oh, no, come now, you dear old uncle ! "
And linking her arm affectionately in that of Mr. Tim Maurice,
Miss Cary said, with a smile, looking over her shoulder at Dr. Ha-
worth,
" You'll come too ? "
" With pleasure."
As Dr. Haworth said this he looked at the young lady. Was
she resolved, by dragging out her uncle, to avoid a private interview
with himself ? It seemed so.
Col. Ross had become so frequent a visitor that his non-appear
ance now suggested comment.
SOMETHING HAPPENS, $7
"What's the matter with our friend, the Colonel?" said Mr.
Tim Maurice one day when Dr. Haworth was present.
"The matter? " said Miss Gary, with dove-like innocence.
" We never see him now. Why does he stay away ? perhaps
you can tell us."
" Indeed, I don't know," said Miss Gary without flinching.
" Are you certain? " retorted her uncle with a slight movement
of his eyebrows.
" How should I know ? "
" I thought something might have happened to him," said Mr.
Tim Maurice " perhaps during that walk that you and he indulged
in on the lawn."
" What can you mean ? Dr. Haworth, do you know what Uncle
Tim is talking about? He is the absurdest person."
" Oh, yes, I am absurd ! " exclaimed Mr. Tim Maurice, with
scorching irony.
" You are dreaming, sir."
" Like other people ! Behold, the dreamer cometh or formerly
came previously to going away after his afternoon promenade."
Miss Gary pouted and looked outraged.
" Dare to tell me you have not refused our friend, the Colonel ! "
exclaimed Mr. Tim Maurice.
" Refused! How could I refuse a person who never asked
me."
" Dare to say he didn't ask you ! His face told the story ! "
" Pshaw, uncle ! you are too absurd."
" You and our friend, then, have not well, had a misunder-
standing ? "
" Of course not ! " cried Miss Gary.
" Then, I suppose we may indulge the hope of seeing him back
very soon ? "
Miss Gary for reasons best known to herself could not repress a
covert smile.
" Why not," she said, with an air of heavenly innocence ; " you
know he is in the habit of calling now and then."
" Yes, I believe I have discovered the fact, my child," said Mr.
Tim Maurice, with a paternal air. " Now go and dress your doll
most innocent young thing ! Dr. Haworth and myself propose to
try a game."
Having uttered these words with deep seriousness, Uncle Tim
gg DR. HAWORTH A. VD CARY MAURICE.
slowly closed one of his eyelids, and bursting suddenly into hearty
laughter turned his back on Miss Gary.
As Col. Ross did not reappear at Mauricewood again, Miss Gary
Maurice's character for truth seemed to have suffered shipwreck.
V.
DR. HAWORTH AND GARY MAURICE.
Miss GARY MAURICE seemed to be pursuing a somewhat sin-
gular course toward Dr. Haworth. She would never be left alone
with him if she could prevent it. What was the meaning of that ?
Men rarely understand women, who understand men very well.
The maxim is sound, though some superior beings may dispute it.
Dr. Haworth did not understand Miss Gary Maurice in the least.
His brain was a vigorous one, but he was puzzled.
The young lady was no longer so frank and unreserved as at
first. The change had begun on the ride to Prof. Lesner's that day
from the moment when he had in effect told her that there was a
" charm " about her which made people love her. Was that simply
the idle compliment cf a gentleman to a young lady ? The mere
words were little, but Dr. Haworth's look was a great deal or Miss
Gary seemed to think so.
What followed was a little reserve. If that was the sudden be-
ginning, the ending might be as sudden and more emphatic. So the
young lady had discovered that it would be unreasonable to take Dr.
Haworth out of his way, or to trouble him to escort her home when
he came to visit them at Mauricewood ; a system was inaugurated
it has been mentioned. There were to be no private interviews.
If there was danger of that, the peril was to be evaded. Miss Gary
had forgotten her thimble. " Was that mamma calling? " So the
private interview didn't take place.
There was absolutely nothing to complain of. Miss Gary's de-
meanor toward Dr. Haworth before others was the perfection of cor-
diality. It was plain that she liked him, if smiles and tones of voice
mean anything. What did it all signify ? Dr. Haworth saw it, and
had not the least idea.
There really seemed to be no grounds for Miss Gary's apprehen-
sions, if she indulged any. Was she fearful that the utterance of
DR. HA WORTH AND CARY MAURICE. gg
certain words by Dr. Haworth would terminate or unpleasantly
modify their friendly relations ; that to have a certain question asked,
and to be compelled to reply to it in a certain manner, would raise a
barrier of constraint between them, and dispel the charm of the little
romance ? If that was the explanation of Miss Gary's tactics it
might be that she was putting herself to a great deal of unnecessary
trouble. Why resort to all that strategy of dragging Mr. Tim
Maurice out to the portico after Col. Ross' last visit ? Dr. Ha-
worth, it seemed, was capable of exchanging intelligent observations
on the weather without directing the conversation to the subject of
his private feelings.
Two or three times Miss Gary had found herself beaten the
victim of circumstance. She and Dr. Haworth had been left alone
together. On these occasions nothing had occurred. The conver-
sation had been friendly, and Dr. Haworth had not indulged in
rapturous remarks. He was quite as grave as ever, and spoke easily
and simply. This had reassured Miss Gary, and it was plain that
she had lost sight at such times of her " system." He had been
speaking on one of these occasions of the charm of home and home
faces, which so many human beings lacked.
" You say that very feelingly," said Miss Gary, crossing her hands
in her lap with an air of reflection, and looking down.
" Yes, I feel it. I have never had what people call a home."
" I am so sorry but gentlemen have friends you have one in
your young Jean."
" Yes, but they are a poor substitute. Do your friends take the
place of your home circle, Miss Maurice ? "
" Oh, no ! What you say is very true it must be very sad to be
without a home. Have you always been ? But that is impossible."
" Nearly always ; I am a native of this country, and lost my
mother and father when very young. I went to South America, and
since that time have been roving and rovers, you know, are not
domestic people."
" But you liked it."
" A little when I was young. I am now weary of it."
The grave voice seemed to excite Miss Gary's sympathy.
" But you have not always been roving about have you lived in
South America all the time ? "
" No, I spent some years in Europe, and have visited the United
States."
QO f>K. fTAWORTHA&D CARY MAURICE.
" Were none of your family living ? but you must forgive me
for asking you so many questions."
" I am flattered by your doing so ; it is an evidence of friendly
interest."
' I take a very sincere interest in you," said Miss Gary, raising
her eyes and looking into his.
" Thank you we make each other friendly speeches," he said,
" as I did that day when I met you riding to Prof. Lesner's."
" Did you ? " said Miss Gary, innocently.
" I think I told you that you were beautiful, and that everybody
must love you," he said. " It was a little unceremonious, but then
it was sincere. You have the charm of friendliness and vivacity."
Miss Gary looked at her slippers, with her eyelashes resting
nearly upon her cheeks, and twisted a lace cuff between her fingers.
Dr. Haworth, however, seemed the farthest possible from designing
to add anything more enthusiastic.
" If I spoke a little too plainly," he said, in a perfectly grave tone,
" I hope you will pardon it, and attribute it to my fashion of speak-
ing frankly on all subjects."
" There is nothing to pardon," said Miss Gary, still looking down.
" I have seen little of women, and scarcely know how to address
them."
" What you apologize for is said to be a very acceptable way,"
said Miss Gary, forcing a laugh.
" It is honest, at least, and you know honesty is a great deal."
" Indeed, it is ! "
She raised her eyes and looked at him. She had forgotten all
about systems, and spoke like the good country girl that she was.
" I can't bear affectation, and pretense, and stopping to consider
before every word ! " she exclaimed. " Why won't people be natu-
ral!"
" Perhaps the explanation is that they are afraid to appear what
they really are."
" You are not ! "
" I am not ; you know very little about me, my life, I mean but
you shall know. As to myself my character you know that, if
you have taken the trouble to interest yourself in it. I am honest in
my instincts, and my life if not gay has been respectable, which is a
good word."
" A very good one."
DR. HA WORTH AND GARY MAURICE. gi
" Not a gay life ; just the reverse, and that has perhaps made me
a little hard." .
" You are not at all hard. It is a very unfair term to apply to
yourself."
" It is just. I am not soft or romantic. You may not believe
me, but I have never loved any woman. If I had children I should
be different, I am sure, and I wish I had them. I am rather a lonely
person, and a lonely man generally becomes hard, but I do not com-
plain ; repining is weakness. It is better to make the best of things."
" Yes, indeed," said the young lady, thoughtfully and a little
sadly. I see now what you meant when you spoke of home, and
your longing for one."
" I should be happier," he said. " There is nothing so dreary as
to sit on a South American veranda toward evening to hear no
sound but the cries of the night-birds from the mangroves, and have
no desire even to go in and look at the new books and journals lying
on the table. The glimmer of the lamps is funereal the portraits
stare at you in a word, you are alone or rather I am and it is
not gay."
" It is very sad. You live near Lima, however? "
" A few miles from it, but I have never had any great fancy for
the society there."
" But your books ? "
" They are my only companions, nearly. I receive the new
works from London and Paris. When I am tired, I hunt and sleep.
It may be a philosopher's life it is not a cheerful one."
Miss Gary mused. She was plainly figuring to herself this lonely
existence of the pampas, and it seemed to touch her. Her head
drooped, and she gazed sadly at the floor. She looked up at last
and said, laughing,
" I think you ought to marry."
Dr. Haworth shook his head.
" It is not probable that I shall ever marry," he said.
This matter-of-fact response seemed to embolden Miss Gary.
" Why not ? "
" I should not marry without love, and I have never loved any
woman."
Miss Gary was aware of a sudden sentiment of pique.
" You may ! " she said.
" It is impossible."
P.,, DR. HAVfOKTll AND CARY MAURICE.
y-
A little laugh greeted the words.
" Pride goes before a fall ! "
" It is not pride with me it is the result of another trait."
" What is that ? "
" I am not impressible."
Miss Gary was thus openly defied.
" I see you are a woman-hater," she said, with a laugh, " and I
suppose there is nothing more to say."
" I have a very great regard and respect for women good ones."
" Then I hope I may inspire you with regard and respect, sir ! "
laughed the young lady.
As she spoke, a servant was seen leading out two riding-horses,
followed by Jean.
" Are you going to ride ? " said Miss Gary.
" I thought of doing so with Jean."
" He is very handsome," she said, looking at the youth.
" And a very good boy."
" Is he from South America ? "
" Yes."
" He is very refined in his manners, and we are all struck by his
curious resemblance to the portrait of papa."
" Mr. Maurice showed it to me one day during your absence."
" You must have observed the resemblance. I notice it at every
meal."
" There is certainly a resemblance, but you know that is not un-
common."
Soon after which Dr. Haworth rode away with Jean.
Miss Gary remained on the veranda looking after them and mus-
ing. Having no means of reading the minds of young ladies by the
expressions of their face, the present writer is unable to state what
this lady was thinking about. But after a while she rose and saun-
tered slowly into the house. As she did so she said in a low voice :
" Poor, dear fellow ! How sorry I am for him. He says I have
the charm of friendliness and vivacity. He has the charm of re-
pose."
THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN, 93
VI.
THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN.
WHAT Dr. Haworth had discovered in the bed in the locked
room and thrust into his bosom, was a twisted cord, with a stick
thrust through it in other words, 3.garrote.
He was perfectly familiar with this primitive Spanish instrument
for the infliction of capital punishment ; and had instantly, at the
very first sight of it, connected it with the murder. An end of the
cord had protruded from between the bed-clothing, the rest being
concealed. Dr. Haworth had drawn it out, and by an instinctive
movement had hidden it in his breast under his waistcoat.
As soon as he was alone in his chamber, where Jean Baptiste
was seated upon a cricket at a corner of the cheerful blaze for the
nights were growing chill now Dr. Haworth took the twisted cord
from his breast and said to the boy :
" Do you know what this is, Jean ?*'
" Certainly, Excellency ; it is a garrote," was the reply.
" I thought you would recognize it."
" There is nothing strange in that. I have seen them often, and
that is a good tough one."
Dr. Haworth looked at him quietly and said :
" Do you know you have not asked me a single question ? "
" A question ? "
" Of a hundred youths of your age ninety-nine would have asked
me where I found this. You have not."
" Your Excellency's business is your own, not mine," said Jean.
" In other words, you are a person of discretion, Jean. Well, I
give you a proof of my confidence now. I have told you about the
murder that took place in this house. Here is the instrument with
which it was committed."
" With that ! Mr. Maurice was then garroted ! "
" Yes."
Jean said nothing, but his eyes were fixed upon Dr. Haworth
with the deepest attention.
" I will explain to you another time how I came to find this," he
said ; " take it and lock it up in the valise."
Jean rose quietly, took a key from his pocket and locked up the
twisted cord in the valise,
94 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN.
" Now, I have something to say to you, Jean," said Dr. Ha-
worth. " From this moment real war begins between the man you
know and myself, and you are a valuable ally."
They talked in a low tone for about an hour, and then retired
Jean Baptiste to his pallet in the corner and his master to his bed.
On the next morning Dr. Haworth made himself agreeable gen-
erally, turned over Miss Gary's music, conversed with Mrs. Maurice,
and at length joined Mr. Tim Maurice on the portico as he was
about to take his morning ride.
"A pleasant day," he said.
" Really glorious ! " exclaimed Mr. Tim Maurice, " and I feel as
lively as a boy."
" Your health is excellent, I am happy to see."
" Excellent owing to my scorn for people of your profession,
Doctor ! "
" You never take medical advice, then, since you never need it."
"Never! Dr. Seabright often denounces me and predicts I'll
come to a bad end, but I laugh at him."
" Dr. Seabright ? "
" He is our old family physician and has been for thirty
years."
Dr. Haworth mused for a moment.
" Thirty years ? " he said. " Then I suppose he was your broth-
er's physician ? "
" Certainly we sent for him immediately when that terrible
affair occurred."
" He came, of course ? "
" In half an hour, as he only resides a little beyond Abbeyville ;
but it was useless, of course, to send for him."
" As Mr. Maurice was dead, I understand. But I am detaining
you a pleasant ride."
" Thank you amuse yourself with the ladies. I'll be back for
a game before dinner."
But Haworth did not seem to have made his morning arrange-
ments with a view to chess or the society of the ladies. As soon as
Mr. Tim Maurice disappeared, he informed them of his intention to
ride to the postoffice at Abbeyville, and his horse having been
brought, he mounted and went in that direction. He soon reached
.Abbeyville, received the Mauricewood mail, and then, instead of re-
turning, inquired of a person passing where Dr. Seabright lived.
I THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 95
The reply was a pointed finger. The house of the Doctor was visi-
ble about a mile distant crowning a hill.
Dr. Haworth rode on, and soon reached it. It was a small and
very comfortable establishment surrounded by a plank fence and
hedge. On the porch was seated a gray-haired man in leather leg-
gins reading a newspaper. His overcoat indicated that he had just
returned from riding. ,
"Dr. Seabright, I believe," said the visitor, approaching him.
" At your service, sir," said Dr. Seabright in brief tones, rising
and pointing to a split-bottomed chair opposite his own. He had a
ruddy face, penetrating eyes, a large nose and a wide mouth. Be-
hind this composed mask were probably many family secrets.
" My name is Haworth," said the visitor, sitting down. " A
member of your profession, sir."
" Glad to see you, Dr. Haworth," said Dr. Seabright, in an un-
impressed manner.
" I am visiting your friends at Mauricewood, and thought I
would call and pay my respects to a brother physician. Mr. Mau-
rice spoke of you."
Dr. Seabright looked at the speaker with a keen glance from be-
neath his bushy gray eyebrows.
" Happy to know you. You are the friend from South America
I have heard mentioned, I suppose ? "
" Yes."
" You visit our country at a pleasant season, and the Maurice
family belong to our best people."
" They are most agreeable. You have known them a long time,
no doubt."
" Well, for forty years or thereabouts, and that is quite a long
time."
" You were the family physician all this time ? "
" For thirty years or more."
" That establishes a very close relation in our profession, Doc-
tor. A family physician is necessarily thrown in contact, you know,
with the joys and sorrows of each and all unhappily it is the sor-
row he sees most of."
" Yes ; he that is whole needs not a physician," said Dr. Sea-
bright with a grim smile. " I like to quote the Scriptures now and
then to show my contempt for these modern physical scientists, as
they call themselves, though all their science is tomfoolery."
96 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN.
" I agree with you. Yes, the distress in a family is what the family
physician sees, and I suppose the Mauricewood household has not
been exempt ? "
" They are not often sick, and there has been no death there for
a long time since John Maurice's."
" The husband of Mrs. Maurice, I believe ? "
" Yes. He died nearly twenty years ago a curious case."
" Curious ? "
" I have always thought but these are private matters."
Dr. Haworth had turned his head slightly, but made no effort t
induce Dr. Seabright to explain himself.
" You are very right, Doctor," he said, " the first duty of a mem-
ber of our profession is to keep sacred what passes in the sick
chamber. In delirium a man reveals what he would not reveal in
his right senses. If his physician repeats it he is no longer a trusted
friend he is a spy."
" Right," said Dr. Seabright; "Mr. Maurice, however, did not
rave."
" You were present I understand you to say when he died. You
may also have been present at the death of his uncle, Mr. James
Maurice. I have been told of that sad affair."
" No, I was not present," said Dr. Seabright.
"His death, you mean, followed the blow of the assassin too
promptly ? "
" Yes I see Mr. Tim has ?old you all about that strange business."
" Everything, and one detail of the murder struck me as remark-
able."
" What was that ? "
" The cause of Mr. Maurice's death. I need not say to a gen-
tleman with your knowledge of physiology that a blow in the tem-
poral or parietal region is often fatal ; but it is strange that it should
have proved fatal almost instantly, as it seems to have done in Mr.
Maurice's case."
" Mr. Maurice was not killed by a blow on his head," said Dr.
Seabright.
" Indeed ? not by the hammer which was supposed to be the
weapon used ? "
" A hammer had nothing to do with it ! "
Dr. Seabright uttered the words with the abruptness which
marked all that he said.
THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN.
97
41 You surprise me," said Dr. Haworth.
" I surprised the court also, and all who heard me. I made the
post-mortem examination of the body. There was no contusion
but the asses the court summoned as experts said that external in-
dications were not always present. The weapon might have struck
the hair. The consequence ? I was voted an ignoramus and my
whole theory a mere fancy."
" Your theory ? "
" It Was no theory. It was the fact."
" The fact ? "
" James Maurice was strangled probably by a cord, possibly by
the hands of the murderer clutching his throat."
" Strangled ! What were your grounds for so singular a supposi-
tion ? "
" The marks on his throat," said Dr. Seabright coolly, " and they
were not marks of hands. I know it as well as I know that I am
sitting here that James Maurice met his fate in that way."
" By the garrote ? "
" What is that ? Oh, I understand."
" The cord used to strangle criminals in Cuba and South Amer-
ica. I am quite familiar with it. I will show you its operation."
He looked around him as though in search of something.
" I have a cord in my pocket," he said.
Dr. Haworth then drew from one pocket the cord which he
had found in the locked room, and thrusting his hand into another
pocket, produced the stick in which it had been inserted.
" This will serve to show you the operation of the Spanish gar-
rote," he said, placing the cord around a knob of the railing besfde
him and twisting it by means of the stick.
" Yes," said Dr. Seabright.
" If the cord is sufficiently tough not to break, the man is soon
dead, you see."
" I see. Well, that's the way James Maurice came to his death.
That cord in your hand was plenty strong enough."
Dr. Haworth restored the cord and stick to his pocket and said :
" Your idea is curious it appears remarkable that an American
should have committed murder in that manner. A Spaniard might
have done so."
" It is curious, but it's so," said Dr. Seabright concisely,
" You saw the traces of the garrote ? "
5
9 8
THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN.
" As plainly as I see you."
" How were they explained by the friends of the hammer the-
ory? "
" They were not explained. As the hammer was there and the
expert asses had their bosh ready about external indications, the
marks on the neck went for nothing."
" The difficulty of removing a preconceived impression, I see.
But who was the garroter ? "
Dr. Seabright shook his head and said :
" I have never had the least idea "
" Mr. Ducis ? " said Dr. Haworth.
" Mr. Ducis ? " said Dr. Seabright, " the idea is wild ! No sane
person believes that."
" Who was, then ? ''
" Dr. Haworth," said Dr. Seabright, solemnly, " you might as
well ask that jackass yonder. I am not an expert, and don't know
everything. I know Mr. Ducis had nothing to do with it he was
one of the noblest of gentlemen and the best friend I had. The
matter has puzzled me for twenty years. If you will clear it up I
will present you with the best case of instruments to be bought in
the City of London. Come in and join me in a glass of grog. I
have been riding and feel a little chilled."
Dr. Haworth joined his professional brother in the glass of grog,
and after a little more conversation rose to go.
" I am surprised at your theory of that murder," he said as he
shook hands. " Garroted ? Was there an enemy of Mr. Maurice
who had been to Mexico or South America who was familiar, I
mean, with the process of garroting ? "
" I never knew of any."
" No person in the neighborhood had resided in either of those
countries ? "
"No one but Col. Ross, and the idea that he. knew anything
about it never entered anybody's head."
" Naturally, as Col. Ross is a gentleman of position and charac-
ter."
" He was strangled, though ! " said Dr. Seabright, warmed up by
his grog. " If I was on my death bed and past talking, and any-
body said, ' What was the cause of James Maurice's death ? ' I
would try for a last mouthful of air to say, ' He was strangled the
expert asses to the contrary notwithstanding.' "
AN OMEN.
99
Dr. Scab right then shook hands, invited his professional brother
to repeat his call, and that gentleman, having stated that it would
give him pleasure to do so, rode away.
VII.
AN OMEN.
WHEN Miss Gary Maurice went up-stairs, after her interview
with Dr. Haworth, she sat down by an open window and looked out
at the yellow trees.
Her expression was pensive and a little sad. She was probably
thinking of a lonely personage living in a lonely hacienda, and pity-
ing his lot,
" Poor, dear fellow ! " she murmured again in a tone of celestial
pity. And then Miss Maurice went through a curious performance.
She smiled, sighed, got up, and standing in front of the mirror,
which was a handsome oval, surmounting a white marble toilet
table, looked at herself. The mirror reflected a pretty face just
tinted with faint blushes, brown bangs nearly covering the forehead,
big blue eyes and lips with a charming smile just indicated. As
she looked the smile became fully developed, and Miss Gary uttered
a faint laugh. Was she laughing at herself ? Her reflections did not
seem to concern themselves with the face in the mirror. She said
half aloud :
" He must think it strange that I avoid him and certainly it is
not very polite."
This reasoning seemed to have convinced Miss Car)', since, on
Dr. Haworth's return, she was sitting upon the veranda and smiled
in a friendly manner as he approached. She even glanced in a casual
way at a second camp-chair not far from her, and Dr. Haworth sat
down.
He was a little surprised. Miss Gary had evidently forgotten
nothing up-stairs ; had no engagement requiring her presence else-
where; and was ready to indulge in a friendly icte-a-tete.
They conversed for about an hour without interruption Miss
Gary in a happy and riant mood which drove away her companion's
gloom ; smiles and bright glances are like sunshine and light up all
they touch upon.. Miss Gary Maurice seemed to have resolved that
IOO 4 IV OMEN.
nothing grave or gloomy should live in her presence ; and when a
girl as beautiful as herself ever resolves she is apt to succeed.
Every trace of melancholy disappeared from Dr. Haworth's
countenance. He had forgotten all but the fair face at his side ;
and the eyes fixed upon, her own might have told her a great deal if
she had needed to be told it.
It is nearly certain that Miss Gary did not need to be told any-
thing about it. A man's face is never full of " strange matters " to
a woman the matters are quite familiar and are read with the ut-
most ease. Therefore seeing that Miss Cnry understood, and real-
ized that this^man loved her whether he realized it or not her
happy smiles and caressing tones were an omen.
If the only use of language is to convey ideas, and the business
of a writer is to employ the words best suited to express his mean-
ing, it would be better, perhaps, to say that Gary Maurice saw that
she had inspired love and meant to say, when the moment came,
" You may love me as much as you choose ! "
It was a very long step from that careful avoidance of all private
interviews but Miss Gary had taken the step.
When they went into the house after this conversation in the
autumn twilight, something happened in the most natural man-
ner.
Miss Gary's companion offered his hand to assist her in rising
from her low seat. She at once accepted this polite attention, and
the two hands met which would have been nothing if they had not
remained in each other. They did so apparently they were both
unconscious of the fact. Suddenly Dr. Haworth made Miss Gary
aware of the state of things, They were at the door, and he im-
pulsively raised the small hand to his lips.
" I think more than ever now," he said, " that you have about
you the something I spoke of on our ride that evening."
Miss Gary turned and looked up at him. Her eyes were full of
light.
"i am very glad," she said in a whisper almost, smiling and
blushing faintly. After which she went up-stairs.
When she came down to tea, Miss Gary was perfectly easy and
self-possessed the model of a charming young person in the bosom
of her family. She had never been so gay. Any one looking at her
and listening to her would have said that this young lady had heard
some good news.
THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT. IQI
When she retired for the night she made a low courtesy to Dr.
Haworth, holding her tight skirts at the side and laughing.
He bowed and said : " I hope you will remember your engage-
ment, Miss Maurice."
" Y es," said Miss Gary.
" What engagement ? " asked Uncle Tim.
" Dr. Haworth was good enough to promise to escort me to see
Prof. Lesner. I wish to borrow a book," said Miss Gary.
" Well, take good care of the young thing, Doctor, and come
back in time for our game," said Uncle Tim.
Dr. Haworth scarcely heard the words. He was looking at
Gary Maurice, whose exquisite figure was just disappearing from
the apartment.
As she left the room she turned her head over her shoulder and
their eyes met.
The look was another omen a word signifying, according to
Dr. Johnson, " a prognostic."
VIII.
THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT.
THE morning was superb a dying flash of the imperial au-
tumn. The leaves were red-russet or as yellow as gold, the sky of
gold-blue, and the woods swam in a rosy mist. It was a day for
the youth and maiden of Mr. Browning's poem to take their " last
ride together."
Miss Gary Maurice was in the highest spirits and looked charm-
ing in her riding-habit. Her brown hair was in a coil on her neck
and a small hat was perched like a bird on the summit of her head.
If Dr. Haworth's heart did not beat at sight of her, and at the touch
of her ungloved hand as he assisted her to mount, he must have
been what he called himself, unimpressible.
They rode at a gallop through the woods, and Miss Gary retained
her extravagant spirits. Her jests effervesced like sparkling wine
bursting into bubbles. In a word, something had evidently pleased
her.
They reached Prof. Lesner's in half an hour, and he came out in
his dressing-gown, as usual, to receive them.
I02 THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT.
His smile was as cordial, and he displayed unmistakable pleasure
at seeing the young girl, but Dr. Hawoith at once discerned the
odor of opium smoke in his clothes. The dreamy eyes of the poor
Professor were another indication that he had not abandoned his
evil habit it was very sad.
" So you have come to see your old friend before he has returned
your last visit, Miss Gary," he said, smiling. " Good day, Doctor,
am happy to see you."
Dr. Haworth bowed and shook hands, and Miss Gary cried :
" Returned my visit ? I wish you would come, dear Prof. Lesner,
but I shall not think anything of it if you do not. Your time is
valuable and mine is worth nothing. I came to beg you to lend me
a book."
"A book? Yes, indeed anything I have, my dear Miss
Gary."
" I thought I would like to read ' Luria ' again he is so grand
and kind."
"A great poem as you say, he is of heroic mold, and so pro-
foundly trtte."
Prof. Lesner then went into his library and brought out the
volume, a canary bird having embraced the opportunity to perch
upon his shoulder.
" You see my birds still pet me poor recluse that I am," he
said, with his dreamy smile.
" I think they sfeow their sense you are their very best friend,"
said Miss Gary.
" Well, we aM need friends and I have just had a proof that I
have' some myself. Would you believe it these poor Hill people
have insisted on electing me a magistrate ? "
" A magistrate ? "
" A justice of the peace ! "
And Prof. Lesner uttered a slight laugh.
"It 4 was actually without my knowledge," he said, "and I am
not at all fit for it. True, I was a law student in early life, but I
never practiced. I think the idea of these humble people is to have
a good natured old magistrate who will let them off easily."
" Why, of course ! " Miss Gary exclaimed. " I am sure that was
why you were elected. So you are a justice ? "
"Yes, I have been to qualify and have received my certificate.
It is absurd, but the poor folk seem to think I am capable. I hesi-
THE RESULT OF AX ACCIDENT.
103
tated to accept, but thought I would not reject what I suppose was
meant as a mark of friendly feeling."
"I think you were perfectly right, sir," said Dr. Haworth.
" I am glad you approve, Doctor. But sit down, Miss Gary."
" Thank you ; we were only out riding. I think mamma will
expect me back."
And after a lively conversation, rather dreamy and fantastic on
the part of the poor Professor, they shook hands with him and
again mounted.
" It is sad to see such a person so lonely," said Miss Gary, as
they rode on slowly.
" Yes we spoke the other day of lonely lives, I remember.
They are not very gay."
" Of yours, you mean."
Miss Gary rode on at a walk her good spirits seemed to have
all effervesced.
" What the Preacher says is true," said Dr. Haworth. " ' Two
are better than one ' that is to say, sympathy is a necessity to hu-
man beings. You will remember the text, ' woe to him that is alone
when he falleth.' "
Miss Gary smiled rather faintly.
" That is said of friends only is it not ? " she asked.
" Yes, but the truth is stronger if we apply it to a man and
woman who love each other."
"I suppose so," said Miss Gary, in a tone of deep thought.
" I am only sorry that I can not follow the advice of Ecclesiastes,
in that sense, and love some one who would comfort me in my
hours of depression."
"That would make you happier," said Miss Gary, in the same
. tone, without looking at him.
" Unfortunately I do not hope to find any such person. I am
not very lovable, and then "
If Dr. Haworth was on the point of adding that his own ob-
'durate indifference would be an additional obstacle, he did not do
so. His sentence remained unfinished. Miss Gary Maurice's horse
started violently and began running at full speed.
The cause of this was simple. The woods through which they
were riding were the resort of " wild hogs," as they were generally
called that is, of hogs which had escaped from their owners and
returned nearly to a state of nature. In passing a copse Miss Gary's
IO4 THE RESULT F A >V ACCIDENT.
horse was suddenly startled by a hoarse growl, and one of these
animals rushed out. The consequence was that the animal shied
violently, ran, and as Miss Gary had dropped the bridle on his neck
she had no control over him.
The result was a painful accident. Before Dr. Haworth, riding
at his utmost speed, could catch up with her, she was thrown. Her
Saddle girth had turned and she fell at full length in the road about
ten feet in front of him.
He threw himself from the saddle an ran to her She was
lying on her side, quite unconscious. Lifting her in his arms and
clasping her close to him, he cried :
" Gary ! my own Gary ! Good God ! she is not dead ? "
Her head fell upon his shoulders, and she was a limp weight in
his arms. Every trace of color had disappeared from her face and
her eyes were closed.
With a passionate sob Dr. Haworth placed his hand upon her
heart. It was beating feebly, and he knew then that she had only
fainted from her heavy fall. Had she broken any of her limbs?
Neither arm was bleeding, and with the physician's instinct he
glanced toward her limbs.
" She will tell me if she revives ! " he said in a trembling voice ;
and again he called " Gary."
She opened her eyes and looked up at him. Her face was lying
upon his breast, and she drew closer to him.
" You are hurt badly hurt, Gary ! "
Whereupon Dr. Haworth, scarce aware of what he was doing,
and forgetting his professional character, stooped and kissed her
forehead, exclaiming :
" I never knew how much I loved you ! "
It was plain that Miss Gary's faint was at an end. Her face
filled with blushes, and he could feel her bosom resting against his
own rise and fall.
" I am not much hurt ! " she murmured.
" God be thanked," he said. " If you had been killed I should .
not have cared to live. I have been a fool ! I did not know ! I
love you dearly so dearly! Remember what we said wee to
those who are alone when they fall ! "
" Yes."
That was all Miss Gary's reply. As she clasped her hands
behind his neck, however, no more seemed necessary.
MAY AND AUGUST.
105
Dr. Haworth assisted her to a fallen tree near the road, caught
the horses after a little trouble, and lifted her to the saddle, after
which they rode home, nearly in silence. The accident had taken
place not far from Mauricewood, and they soon arrived.
As Miss Gary dismounted, and walked rather painfully into the
house, she said to Dr. Haworth :
" I will tell mamma."
She was standing in the door and looking at him out of a pair
of moist blue eyes.
" Will you tell her all ? " he said.
" Yes."
" That I love you and can not live without you ? "
" Yes."
He bent down and kissed her, and she returned the kiss ; after
which she went up stairs.
IX.
M&Y AND AUGUST.
THE love of a mature man differs very much from the love of a
youth.
The youth loves because it is a necessity with him because the
time has come to love. In the spring the sap pushes, and the ardor
of youth requires an outlet r say the inner impulse is like the
subtile gas in new wine and produces an overflow. It is charming,
but evanescent, es all momentary impulses are. To the young lover
the character of the object of his love is not of great importance.
Red lips, rosy cheeks, bright eyes and curls ke is satisfied if he
finds these.
It is not to laugh at him to say that he is satisfied, since he sees
much more. What is wanting his fancy supplies. The possessor
of the curls and roses is necessarily an angel.
Then the natural result follows. When he has forced upoa him
the conviction after a while that his angel is a doll and not at all
angelic, he suddenly cools. There are other angels or dolls he sees.
Other roses are fresher, other eyes brighter. The stronger magnet
draws him and then the first love is quickly replaced by another,
to yield in due time to numberless numbers.
IO6 MAY AA T D AUGUST.
The world calls the youth fickle. He is not fickle, he is natural.
What comes quickly, goes quickly. The youth's heart is in his
hand ; he gives it and snatches it back. When he gives it again, it
is to snatch it again, and transfer it to a new angel. Or his beloved
does the same, and the young lover has the heart-ache. No mat-
ter, that will not last. The sap gushes, and the cut heals over.
The sun is shining, the days are long ; there are so many other curls
and roses !
When a man passes 30, April is over, and the summer has
come. From that time forward he no longer carries his heart in
his hand, begging every little beauty to accept it. He is pleased
with them, but loves none of them, and they naturally find him far
less attractive than the rosy youths who burst into raptures. Ad-
miration, friendly regard, even affection yes, but no more. May
and August differ nearly as much as May and December.
But August is settled weather. The spring showers and sun-
shine rapidly chasing each other have given way to blue skies and
calm. When a storm rises, however, it is a thunder storm. To
drop figures, the love of middle age is a very profound senti-
ment. It is not given easily nor recalled easily, and when a man
has reached this period of life without really loving any one be-
fore, his passion for the person he comes to love at last is ab-
sorbing.
Dr. Haworth loved Gary Maurice in this manner now with all
the strength of a strong nature. He had met his fate. In the brief
space of time between their first meeting and her fall from horse-
back he had lost sight of his past life and thought only of the face
and voice, the eyes and lips, of this " simple girl " whom he had
never seen before.
It is the old story which the story-tellens find their pens relating
all these years a man loving a woman, and counting all else worth-
less unless she loves him in return.
After the ride to Prof. Lesner's he had no longer any doubt.
Gary Maurice loved him ! It was the wonder of wonders, but she
actually did love him ! Incredible as it might appear, she had not
preferred some ruddy youth, full of rapture and romance ; she had
chosen him, with his furrowed brow, sunburnt cheeks and gravity
unliked of woman.
What was to be the result ? Would his whole life change, and
pass henceforth in - tranquil happiness beside this angel ? It was
MISS BURNS.
TO/
too beautiful a dream to be more than a dream, perhaps. Life had
its stern work, demanding the service of every faculty and his own
work was before him.
X.
MISS BURNS.
ON the morning after the ride, which had been followed by such
unexpected results, Dr. Haworth and Mrs. Maurice remained for
some time in private conversation in the drawing-room.
As Mr. Tim Maurice was absent on his daily tour of inspection,
and Miss Gary did not make her appearance, they were not inter-
rupted, and conversed at their leisure.
An interruption at one time did seem to threaten them. Miss
Burns, the young seamstress from Abbeyville, who had been for
some time employed to assist in the household sewing, came down-
stairs looking around her, perhaps for Mrs. Maurice to ask some
directions.
Miss Burns was a handsome young person, of about 20,
neatly dressed, with a fine suit of black hair and a rosy complexion.
Her face was smiling and her eyes sparkled. She was, in fact, a
very flattering specimen of a class which, wanting the grace spring-
ing from culture and refinement, often possess physical attractions.
Beyond this there was nothing remarkable in Miss Burns' appear-
ance except that she was retiring and giggled occasionally.
As she came quietly down the staircase now, her feet made no
noise. Having reached the hall she stopped and listened. The
voices of Dr. Haworth and Mrs. Maurice were heard in the draw-
ing-room, and Miss Burns went to the closed door and listened.
This was a little discreditable, but then curiosity is said to be a
feminine failing. She listened with her ear at the keyhole for some
moments, but seemed to be disappointed. Either the inmates of
the apartments were seated on the other side of the room and
spoke in low tones, or the keyhole was filled with dust certainly
Miss Burns rose erect with an expression of dissatisfaction.
She then went out and strolled to and fro on the veranda, look-
ing at the landscape. The Venetians were open and she did not
approach the windows, on the contrary she re-entered quietly and
returned up-stairs.
IO 3 DR. SiAWOAT/S'S CURIOUS FANCY.
She had not seen Jean Baptiste, who was lying under one of the
oaks smoking a cigarette, but Jean had followed all her movements,
and uttered a low laugh as she disappeared.
After a while Mrs. Maurice left the drawing-room and Miss
Gary came down. As she did not close the door of the room after
her, anybody who had been in the hall at the time might have seen
her go up to Dr. Haworth and place her hand in his.
Some one nearly observed it. Miss Burns once more cami
quietly down the staircase and stole on tiptoe toward the door. It
really was discreditable ; Miss Burns was about to eavesdrop !
Unfortunately, if she were watching others, some one was
watching her.
As the maiden gracefully inclined toward the door, a low laugh
attracted her attention, and suddenly turning she saw Jean in the
veranda looking at her.
Thereupon Miss Burns colored, tossed her head, and abruptly
ran up-stairs again. Jean remained standing on the veranda,
quietly laughing.
XI.
DR. HA WORTH'S CURIOUS FANCY.
SOME days passed. Affairs at Mauricewood followed the ordi-
nary routine. Mr. Tim Maurice regularly took his morning rides ;
Mrs. Maurice superintended her household matters, going about
quietly with her soft step and sweet smile ; and Miss Gary, when
not assisting her, was apt to be conversing with Dr. Haworth in the
drawing-room, or occasionally with Jean.
A great alteration had taken place in Dr. Haworth. His grave
face grew, at times, brilliant with a smile which quite transformed
it ; and whenever his eyes fell upon Gary Maurice their natural
sternness melted into the soft splendor which comes to a man's
face when he loves a woman.
His whole life had, in fact, changed his very being seemed to
have undergone a sudden transformation. The collected and some-
what weary air which had characterized him in moments of repose
had disappeared he was eager and hopeful. One could see that
the man had a future now that the past had dropped from him
like a worn-put garment.
DR. HA WORTH'S CURIOUS FANCY.
IO9
The object of his visit to the Mauricewood neighborhood was per-
haps not forgotten, but he had thrust it aside for the moment. It was
tolerably certain that a man of his character would not thrust it
aside long, but the blue eyes of a girl had dazzled him for the time.
He seemed to ask nothing better than to bask in that light to which
he was not accustomed, and for some days after his ride with Gary
he seemed to have lost sight of all else.
All at once he was brought back to his work. Something was
evidently going on at Mauricewood. It was obvious that Miss
Burns was watching kim.
Dr. Haworth was a quiet observer and not apt to take up fan-
cies. There was no doubt at all about it. For some inexplicable
reason Miss Burns followed all his movements with the closest at-
tention, looking and listening.
She did not look at him, or appear to be listening, and yet he
saw that she was doing both. At table she ate her meals modestly
with her eyes fixed upon her plate. When she had finished she
rose quietly, smiled, and went up-stairs to her sewing. In the even-
ing when her work was done she took a walk for exercise, or re-
turned to her chamber. Her retiring disposition seemed to dictate
to her the propriety of not intruding on the family circle, though
when she did so she was treated with the utmost kindness and
courtesy. Mrs. Maurice and Miss Gary were much too well-bred to
make distinctions in their treatment of people, but Miss Burns mod-
estly insisted upon keeping her place.
She did not speak to Dr. Haworth often. Sometimes it was
necessary, as when he would ask if he might help her to a dish be-
fore him. She then said : " Thank you," or " no ; I thank you sir,"
in a modest voice, giggling slightly and scarcely raising her eyes.
When she did raise them he observed that they were black and
laughing, and said to himself that Mrs. Maurice had a very hand-
some seamstress.
This had been the state of things up to within a few days. Now
Miss Burns seemed to be growing somewhat less shy. Living in
the home with people naturally banishes ceremony, and human be-
ings become familiarly acquainted. Miss Burns spoke with Dr.
Haworth more frequently, and even seemed to seek for occasions to
do so. She often met him accidentally on the staircase and giggled
in a friendly manner, looking at him out of the corners of her eyes.
At such times she blushed, casting down her eyelashes. Once she
HO DK. IIAWORT/rs CURIOUS FANCY.
met him as he was coming out of the drawing-room, and the two
faces nearly struck against each other, when Miss Burns blushed
violently and exclaimed :
" Oh, do excuse me, I am so awkward ! "
" I am sure the awkwardness is mine, madam," Dr. Haworth
said, bowing. But Miss Burns protested that the accident was the
result of her own awkwardness, and, locking bashfully at him, glided
away.
This was romantic but unfortunately there was something
mingled with the romance. As the hours passed on Dr. Haworth
was more and more convinced that Miss Burns was watching him.
Then he began to concentrate his attention upon her. He had
seen a great deal of human nature, and knew that the first question
was always the motive. Why should Miss Burns take so much in-
terest in him ? Having propounded this interrogatory to himself he
began to watch her.
She became an interesting study. He was himself the least se-
cretive of human beings, as proud people always are, and a pro-
foundly secretive person was a curiosity to him. The generous and
open-handed man marvels at the avarice of the miser, and Dr.
Haworth, who was straightforward and virile, studied the secretive-
ness of this feminine diplomat with interest.
The trait seemed ingrained in her being ; she moved about en-
veloped in a cloud. To speak more intelligibly, she was evidently
observing with close attention all that took place at Mauricewood ;
was especially interested in Dr. Haworth, and a fact which came
to be noticed was even curious to know what was going on in the
vicinity, unless her long evening walks were constitutionals.
One morning Miss Burns met Dr. Haworth as he was passing
through the hall. He had just returned from riding, and was going
to his room to make his toilet.
Miss Burns had just indulged in a walk, it seemed, for she had
gathered some superb dogwood leaves of a dazzling crimson. She
held them up as Dr. Haworth passed her, and said with a smile :
" Ain't they just lovely ! "
" They are really beautiful," said Dr. Haworth, bowing.
"Just too lovely for anything," said Miss Burns, who may have
found the phrase in a paper novel. " You have been riding, I sup-
pose, sir ? "
Dr. Haworth bowed.
MISS BUA T S' MAIL- BAG. Iri
" How I wish I had an escort I am so fond of riding ? " And
Miss Burns giggled.
Dr. Haworth looked at her. Was she proposing that he should
become her escort ? It seemed so, since she added :
" I only ride once a week to town ; and then it is just too
lonely."
When Miss Burns said this she looked at Dr. Haworth in a
languishing manner.
" I am going to-morrow," she said, casting down her eyes, pick-
ing at the red leaves. Then she suddenly looked up at him.
Dr. Haworth understood now, and expressed himself in a
straightforward manner.
" I regret that it is out of my power to offer you my escort, Miss
Burns," he said. " I have an engagement to-morrow."
" An engagement ? " sighed Miss Burns.
" To ride with Miss Maurice."
Miss Burns looked sudden daggers, but before she could reply
Miss Gary Maurice came down stairs, and Miss Burns went up,
passing her. Gary's face was full of smiles and happiness ; that of
Miss Burns had suddenly become overcast. At the landing she
stopped and listened, looking through the railing.
" I came down to get a book," said Miss Gary. " I suppose your
lordship is too tired to help me to look for it."
Dr. Haworth did not reply, but his action was expressive. He
took both Miss Gary's hands in his own, drew her to him, and
pressed his lips to her forehead. .
It was not much, but Miss Burns, witnessing the performance,
shut her lips tightly together and looked furious. When Miss Gary
and her companion disappeared, hand in hand, in the drawing-room,
Miss Burns knit her handsome brows and went to her chamber.
XII.
MISS BURNS' MAIL-BAG.
THE ride with Miss Gary was not a thing invented by the enemy
if Dr. Haworth were Miss Burns' enemy but an actual engage-
ment.
Miss Gary Maurice was very popular, and liked to visit her
H2 MISS L'A\YS' MAIL- BAG.
friends. Her mother could not always go, and it was stupid to go
alone in the family carriage. She was much fonder of horseback
riding, but to ride alone was not precisely regular ; so she hailed the
possession of an escort. As he was the escort whom she preferred
to all others that was all the better. So they rode away together.
They returned in the afternoon, and toward sunset Dr. Haworth
lit a cigar he smoked sometimes and walked down the hill toward
the gate opening into the grounds.
He was about a hundred yards from the house when Jean Bap-
tiste joined him, and they walked on together until the foliage con-
cealed them from view.
" We are out of sight now," said Jean, " and I should like to have
a few words with your excellency."
" Out of sight ? " said Dr. Haworth quietly. " Then you think
that some one is watching us ? "
" I think it not improbable as they can't listen at this distance."
" Listen ? a few words with me do you say, Jean ? Why not
say what you wish to say in our chamber ? "
" There are too many ears about."
" Ears ? "
"There are more ears in the Mauricewood house than you
think."
Dr. Haworth shook his head and replied :
" I am afraid association with me has had an evil effect upon
your character, Jean. You are growing suspicious of everybody and
everything."
" That would be bad," said Jean laughing, " but if one has eyes
and ears, he can't help seeing and hearing."
" What have you seen and heard ? "
" I will tell you if you will go a little way that is, I will show
you."
" A little way ? "
" As far as the big ash tree at the corner of the grounds, toward
the town yonder it is."
They had passed through the carriage gate and were in the
woods, following a path which led in the direction of Abbeyville.
About three hundred yards in front rose the bushy summit of a tall
ash it was a landmark.
" We will be there in a minut, and I will then tell you what I
mean," said Jean.
MISS BURNS' MAIL-BAG. 1 13
" Very well ; take your time, my dear Jean. Would you like to
smoke ? "
" Oh ! I was dying for it," exclaimed Jean with a boyish laugh.
" Your excellency knows I am half-Spaniard."
" I don't know anything of the sort ! " said Dr. Haworth looking
at him with a curious smile. " Why, smoke, of course ! Here is a
cigar."
But Jean had already fashioned his husk cigarette with the ra-
pidity of a Spaniard. Dr. Haworth presented his cigar tip, and Jean
began smoking with evident delight.
" Here is the tree, excellency," he said.
It was a very large one growing from a rude pile of rock, and
the huge roots twisting to and fro had thrust themselves between
the crevices and burst the ledges. Under these were dusky hollows
the probable resort of rabbits and such game.
" What is there so very interesting about this tree, Jean ? " said
Dr. Haworth.
" It is Miss Burns' postoffice," said Jean, laughing quietly.
" Miss Burns' postoffice ! What do you mean ? "
" It is more convenient than the town. She puts her letters
under that big root."
" Miss Burns her letters ? "
" For your friend Col. Ross, or somebody who takes them to
him."
"Col. Ross!"
" I am very much mistaken if Miss Bunas is not a friend of the
Colonel's, Excellency. It is the only way I can explain her watching
you and leaving well, her reports here."
Dr. Haworth seemed greatly impressed and said :
" Are you sure this is not a mere fancy ? "
" Well, it may be you will judge. I can only say what I think
is the fact. My idea is this, that your friend the Colonel has a great
deal of curiosity, and wanted to know what was going on at the
house yonder ; so he persuaded this pretty Miss Burns to keep him
informed."
" What reason have you to think so ? "
" Well, several reasons. Miss Burns came into your room last
night."
" Into my chamber ? "
Jean nodded.
MISS BURNS' MAIL-BAG.
" I happened to be awake, which is very seldom, as a youngster
is apt to sleep sound, and I saw her."
" Saw her ? "
" With my eyes. She opened the door it may have been nearly
2 in the morning and came in as quietly as a ghost, or rather a girl
in her stocking feet. She walked without the least sound, and
looked all about her, particularly toward your traveling valise. "
" My valise ? "
" She did better than look ; she tried to open it, but it was locked.
You see I always carry the key in my waistcoat pocket and sleep
with it under my head."
" Tried to open my valise, did you say ? "
" Yes, but she found it would not open. She then searched your
clothes and mine, too, for the key and any papers. I suppose she
was looking for papers."
" Papers ? "
" Your Excellency seems to forget that a certain gentleman is
anxious to know all about you. You are here for something, he
thinks something that interests him. If he has not found out
what brings you, and would like to know, I suppose he would like
to see your letters or other papers."
" You are no doubt right," said Dr. Haworth thoughtfully, " and
I was not wrong in saying that you would be an intelligent ally,
Jean."
" I mean to do what I can to pay you what I owe you."
"You owe me nothing."
" I owe you my life ! Your Excellency knows that. To come
to business, what I tell you is certain. This girl has an understand-
ing with Col. Ross I am sure of it."
" Did he place her here for the purpose ? "
" I don't think he did-. She was he*e before he thought of it, I
think. Up to the time when Miss Gary sent him off he could see
for himself, now he uses this girl's eyes to find out what is going
on between you and Miss Gary and what you are after, too."
Dr. Haworth reflected for a moment and then said :
" Well, that is really ingenious. If you are right, our friend is a
dangerous man."
" He learned to work in the dark down yonder," said Jean, suc-
cinctly, pointing in the direction of South America. " He sent that
torpedo boat to blow you up."
I.IISS BURNS' MAIL-BAG. I! 5
:11 j^; is probable. So he has his confidential agent here,
fcas he ? How could he arrange that ? "
" Nothing was easier. Miss Burns rides on horseback once a
week to the town to see her people. Our friend the Colonel could
jianage the rest it is only a question of so much money."
" Yes but does she really communicate with him ? "
" This is her postoffice, as I told you," said Jean laughing, " and
that hollow under the root there is the mail-bag. I saw her come
here and pull out a paper."
" But her own informatkin ? "
" She had forwarded it, I suppose, already. There is some one
who comes at night, I think, and gets the girl's letters. If he has
any directions for her he leaves them and she comes and gets them.
That is the way. I saw her."
" Well, that seems to end all doubt. Col. Ross is playing a deep
jame."
" Deep ? " said Jean, " well that just describes the Colonel. There
is no danger of his being known in the affair, and what his agent
writes to, Miss Burns, or* she to him, is not apt to entangle him.
There is no doubt that this girl is employed to watch you and now,
as some one might pass and notice us, I suppose your Excellency
had better go back. I will follow afterward."
" That is a wise precaution, Jean," said Dr. Haworth without
moving, " but before I go I might as v/ell say that I knew all this
before."
" Your Excellency knew ? "
" I didn't know of this postoffice as you call it the rest is no
news to me."
" You have noticed her watching you ? "
" Certainly."
" Listening, and tripping about and putting her ear to the key-
holes ? "
" I have not seen her do so, but have no doubt that she does
that."
" And you knew ! "
"That she came into the room last night? Yes, I was not
asleep."
Jean drew a long breath.
" Really, your Excellency does not need my help," he said with
an air of disappointment.
H5 MISS BURNS MAIL-BAG.
" On the contrary it is of the very greatest service to me I re-
quire it. Listen a moment."
Dr. Haworth had remained composed during the whole conversa-
tion. His face now filled with blood and he said in the brief, abrupt
voice which always betrayed a great deal with him :
" It is useless to try to hide anything. It is open war between
this man and myself. He either assassinated James Maurice or pro-
cured his assassination. I have come to this country to ferret out
all that, and mean to do so if I am not murdered in my turn. That
attempt has been made. It will probably be made again. Some
day when I am riding through the woods a bullet may put an end
to me or when I am leaning from my chamber window at night. I
may drink a glass of water, or wine, flavored with a peculiar powder.
Who knows ? This handsome Miss Burns may have the powder
in her pocket at the present moment. She is placed here to watch
me you are right about that therefore I am dangerous. When
men are dangerous to certain people they try to suppress them ; and
I think Col. Ross would like to suppress me. Well, I come back to
what I began with. It is open war or rather secret. As he pre-
fers that, it suits me too, War is not rose water it is a question
of blood. Ruse is fair against ruse. As this girl is put here to
watch me, I will watch her. As she crept into my room to carry
away my papers, I will carry away her own, or you will for me."
" I won't fail to do that, Excellency ! " exclaimed Jean, with
ardor.
" It is of little importance a small feature of the real struggle.
Since yesterday I have made up my mind."
" Made up your mind ? "
" To strike ! " said Dr. Haworth briefly. " Up to this time I
have been collecting information. The whole affair I came to in-
vestigate was a mystery. That was natural, since it occurred twenty
years ago what remained unknown then is necessarily ten times
harder to discover now. I will tell you more at another time. I
have now what amounts to a conviction I will act upon it."
Dr. Haworth then went back to the house by the path which he
had taken in coming, and half an hour afterward Jean Baptiste ap-
peared from the direction of the stables.
It was not probable that Miss Burns, if she had seen them walk
away together, suspected anything.
THE MAIL.
XIII.
THE MAIL.
Miss BURNS did not take her weekly ride to Abbeyville, having
a bad headache, which confined her to her chamber.
Having then no sewing to do she had recourse to her pen, and
seemed to be much interested in the letter she was writing. She
wrote quite a good hand, and appeared to express herself without
difficulty ; in fact, she had received a fair public school education,
and had a cultivated taste for reading dime novels.
Toward sunset she announced with pathetic sweetness to sym-
pathizing Mrs. Maurice that her headache was nearly gone ; took a
stroll in the grounds, and returned about twilight.
It was just growing dark when Dr. Haworth, who had been
riding out, came back and found Jean awaiting him.
" I have something for your excellency," said the boy.
" Very well," said Dr. Haworth, " bring it to my room. I am
going to make my toilet."
He went up to his chamber, and ten minutes afterwards Jean
entered and closed the door.
" Here is a letter I found in the mail-bag," he said, with quiet
enjoyment. " I thought it would interest your excellency."
Dr. Haworth took the letter, which was unsealed, and opened it,
muttering, " War is war."
It was not very long. Miss Burns had written in a large hand
what follows :
" There is very little use in my staying here any longer. I am
suspected and they are watching me. The boy suspects me I
can see him looking sideways at me at all times of the day ; and he
has begun to look at me, too, in the same way.
" I can't find any papers. I couldn't look in the day time, as all
the doors are kept open, and I went at night. I was afraid at first,
but I went while they were both asleep. There was nothing there,
and his trunk was locked, and I could not find the key.
" I hate that boy ; he is a hateful little wretch. And he is a
cruel man. I as much as asked him to escort me to town, and he
excused himself on account of an engagement with that girl, and I
believe made one afterward with her. Somebody wants to know
whether she cares anything for him. I rather think she does. She
Il8 , , THE MAIL.
is so lovesick about him that it makes me sick at my stomach. \
never knew j t till lately and he is just as bad about her. How I
hate her anc | htm. I do believe they are engaged.
" ' am going back home, as I am no use here. Why don't some-
body write an anonymous letter telling them that he is an escaped
convict, or something? That would be nice. If they don't, he will
marry that simpering doll and laitgh at everybody.
" P. S. Somebody had better write that anonymous letter.
" P. S. again. I wish Somebody would have that money ready
for me, as I did not come here to sew for a trifle. You know why
I came here. Tell Somebody I want that money."
This was not signed, but Miss Burns had the characteristics of
great writers her productions reflected her individuality.
" What do you think of that, Excellency?" said Jean in high
good humor, " I took the liberty to read it."
" I think it very well written," said Dr. Haworth. " Take it
back."
" Back ? "
"To your mail-bag of course; that is the proper proceeding.
Let us not try to surpass his French majesty. He always honestly
forwarded letters after discovering what they contained."
" You mean then "
" To invite the anonymous letter ? Yes, That will arrive in a
day or two. There is another point. Let us reap the reward, at
least, if we are to resort to underhand warfare. I prefer to have
Miss Burns remain here for two or three days." >.?
" Your Excellency is right," said Jean in a low voice. " The
letter will be back there in fifteen minutes."
" Go at once ; the mail-carrier may come."
Jean sauntered from the chamber, went down-stairs and out
through a side door. Once outside he began running, as it was nov//
dark and no one could see him. In ten minutes he was at the ash
tree and, depositing the letter, returned quietly to the house.
He had seen no indications that any one had visited the spot i
his absence. .
_j?
THE REWARD FOR HOLDING A LAMPSHADE. 119
XIV.
THE REWARD FOR HOLDING A LAMPSHADE.
DR. HAWORTH was quite correct in his surmise. Two days
afterward the anonymous letter arrived.
It was a very mild evening, and the whole family had gone out
to the veranda, when a servant, who had been sent to Abbeyvilie
for the mail, returned with the bag.
Mr. Tim Maurice opened it and distributed two or three letters
to the ladies. Then he extracted his newspaper and a letter ad-
dressed to himself, which he proceeded to open.
Dr. Haworth was conversing with Mrs. Maurice, but his eyes,
passing beyond her, fixed themselves with interest on Mr. Tim
Maurice's face. Suddenly that gentleman looked up with a singu-
lar expression and caught Dr. Haworth 's eye.
" Here is something that will interest you, Doctor," he said. " I
wonder who could have written it ? "
" Interest me f " said Dr. Haworth, composedly.
" Read it."
Dr. Haworth took the letter and read this written in a bold hand :
" Sir : A friend takes the liberty of informing you that the Dr.
Haworth now at your house is an impostor. He is not the person
he pretends to be. He escaped from jail in Texas, and is traveling
under a false name. You may not believe the writer of an anony-
mous letter, but there are reasons why this one is not signed. The
only intention of the writer is to warn you against a crank and
fraud."
Having read this letter Dr. Haworth handed it back to Mr. Tim
Maurice, and said with a smile :
" Do you believe that ? "
" Well," said Mr. Tim Maurice in a grave tone, " the writer
seems to believe what he says."
" So he does."
" I am afraid appearances are against you, Doctor. Don't you
think so, ladies ? Just read this."
He bent over and gave it to Mrs. Maurice, who read it and said
in a tone of surprise :
" That is really too outrageous ! Who could have presumed to
write it, and what was the object of it ? "
120 'THE REWARD FOR HOLDING A LAMPSHADE.
Miss Gary had meanwhile snatched it and was reading it with
flushed cheeks.
" Who dared to send this ! " she exclaimed, raising her head
with the air of a queen.
" I really don't know," said Uncle Tim. " There is no name to
it, which I agree is a little suspicious ; but then, there is the charge,
my dear, and I need not say, even at the risk of hurting Dr. Ha-
worth's feelings, that it is extremely serious."
Miss Gary Maurice looked into her uncle's face with the expres-
sion of a person who doubts if they have heard certain words aright.
'' Serious ! " she cried.
' Well, my dear little Cadie," said Uncle Tim sadly, " I would
not wound you for the world. Dr. Haworth is your friend, and you
know how much I esteemed him. I say esteemed in the past
tense, you observe for really such charges demand refutation."
" Uncle ! are you in earnest ? "
" Of course I am in earnest, my dear. As the only gentleman
of the family, I am under the painful necessity of requesting our
guest, Dr. Haworth, to meet and refute these allegations. I have
no doubt that he will be able to do so."
" Uncle," cried Miss Gary, with blazing eyes.
" An honest man should invite investigation not endeavor to
avoid it. If our friend, the doctor, is the person he professes to be,
of course he will have no difficulty in establishing the fact. I do not
say that he is an impostor, or has escaped from jail in Texas or any-
where else ; but then mere sentiment will not answer."
Miss Gary gazed at the speaker as if she really believed that he
was out of his mind. Her lips moved, but uttered no sound ; the
great blue eyes seemed to be the only living part of the white face.
" I will, therefore, take the liberty of addressing a few questions
to Dr. Haworth," said Uncle Tim, who had not observed the girl's
expression of anguish.
" I will answer them with pleasure, sir," said Dr. Haworth com-
posedly.
" Be good enough then, Doctor," said Uncle Tim, " to state for
my information and the information of the ladies of my family
whether you did or did not escape from jail in Texas or elsewhere,
and whether you are or are not an impostor ? "
Miss Gary rose to her feet suddenly.
" You shall not even ask," she cried.
i THE REWARD FOR HOLDING A LAMPSHADE. \2\
Uncle Tim started and looked at her.
" How can you "
She burst into tears, and a moment afterward Uncle Tim had
her in his arms, crying :
" Cadie ! Did you think I was in earnest ? Did you imagine I
meant what I said ? I thought you would understand the joke ! I
must be a wretched bungler to hurt my dear Cadie's feelings but
no ! " exclaimed Uncle Tim with pride, laughing and kissing the
sobbing girl. " I must be a great histrionic genius ! an actor of
the first order for you thought I was in earnest ! "
" You were not in earnest, then ? " sobbed Miss Cadie.
" The very idea, my child, to suppose that my opinion of any-
body, much less of Dr. Ha-worth, could be affected by the coward-
ly sneak who wrote that thing. None but sneaks write anonymous
letters, and I was only amusing myself at my little girl's expense."
" You ridiculous old thing ! " said Miss Gary, with candor ; after
which she laughed and returned to her seat.
" I believe I have not replied to your question, my dear Mr.
Maurice," said Dr. Haworth.
" My question ? Did I ask a question ? "
" You asked me if I had escaped from jail, or was an impostor
neither is the fact."
" I accept your apology that is to say, your very satisfactory
explanation, Doctor," said Mr. Tim Maurice laughing. " And now
as this little family matter is settled, would you like to see the even-
ing papers ? Light the lamps, Cadie they are your charge."
Miss Gary rose and went into the drawing-room where the globe
lamp was waiting on the center table.
" Will you hold this shade for me while I light the lamp, Dr.
Haworth ? " she called.
He went in and held the shade, when Miss Gary scraped a match
and lighted a wisp of paper. As it was flaming she held it up be-
fore him it was the anonymous letter.
A moment afterward the lamp was lit, and Dr. Haworth as he
placed the shade upon it felt two warm lips touch his cheek.
X " The lamps are ready, now," cried Miss Gary.
122 PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.
XV.
PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.
THE result of Miss Burns' advice had thus been very unfortu-
nate. The anonymous letter had produced no effect. The Maurice-
wood family had simply laughed at it.
When they came in from the veranda to tea, every face was
smiling, and Miss Burns, seated at the table with eyes modestly cast
down, as usual, had the pleasure of hearing a number of jests ut-
tered by Mr. Tim Maurice, to the effect that the newspapers were
unutterably stupid now ; there were no reports even of hair-breadth
escapes from jail, and not a single clerical, medical or other impos-
tor had been recently unmasked !
Miss Burns listened in modest silence. She was a very quick-
witted young lady and had probably found the means of overhear-
ing the conversation' on the veranda. Something had certainly put
her in a very bad humor that was plain as she went up-stairs ; and
when she began the composition of a document late that night her
handsome forehead was contracted into a frown.
As she slept in a small room by herself there was no chance of
interruption. At about 1 1 :3O o'clock she had finished her letter,
which filled only a page or two of note paper, and having folded it
and put it in the pocket of her apron, she went to her door and lis-
tened. The establishment was perfectly quiet, as the habit of the
family was to retire about 10; and emerging from her room she saw
no signs of light anywhere. She then arranged her shawl so as to
protect her head, and went quietly down-stairs to the side door in
rear of the hall, which she unbolted without noise and opened. She
then listened again and satisfied herself that not a creature was stir-
ring. There was no danger from the bark of a dog, as none were
kept at Mauricewpod, in deference to Mrs. Maurice's delicate nerves
she was easily awakened, and the barking disturbed her. Miss
Burns therefore left the house without causing any stir whatever,
and walked rapidly through the grounds in the direction of the ash
tree. It was a superb moonlight night, and a little chill, which
made her wrapping very comfortable. The lateness of the hour evi-
dently did not disturb her. Mauricewood was a quiet place, where
tramps or other intruders never came ; and Miss Burns therefore
went on confidently, and soon reached her ash tree.
PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.
I2 3
It was a picturesque object in the moonlight which flooded the few
remaining leaves, the gnarled boughs twisted into fantastic shapes,
the huge roots, and the straight trunk with its fine bark. As the
moon was sinking, the hollow under the root which she used as a
postoffice was plain in the light- the trunk throwing a deep shadow
on the rocky mass behind it.
Miss Burns stooped down and looked carefully in the crevice
under the root where she evidently expected to find something. In
this she seemed to be disappointed, as she rose up with empty hands.
She then drew from her pocket the letter which she had written,
placed it carefully in the crevice and went back rapidly toward the
house.
As soon as she was out of sight Jean Baptiste, who had been
hidden in the black shadow behind the ash tree, came out, took the
letter from its place, and going back to the shadow patiently waited.
He had not to wait more than half an hour. At the end of that
time a man got over the inclosure of the grounds about fifty yards
from the tree and walked quietly to it.
Jean had no difficulty in recognizing him it was Mr. Job Wil-
kins.
Mr. Wilkins made a careful search in the hollow under the root,
and having satisfied himself that there was nothing in the post-
office, drew a paper from his pocket and concealed it where Miss
Burns had concealed her own note. He looked carefully around,
listened for a moment, and, walking away, leaped over the inclosure
and disappeared.
Jean then emerged from his friendly shadow, possessed himself
of the second letter, and returned to the house. To effect an en-
trance he was obliged to use precaution. Miss Burns might be lis-
tening. Miss Burns was fast asleep by this time, however, and rais-
ing a window, which was not secured, Jean gained Dr. Haworth's
room without attracting attention.
As he came in he'drew a long breadth and said to Dr. Haworth,
who was waiting for him :
" I hope this is my last night's work, Excellency ! I don't like it ;
I might be taken for a burglar ! "
" I like it no better than you, Jean," said Dr. Haworth. " It is
wretched business. Every instinct of my character is opposed to it.
I have made up my mind to fight this man openly hereafter, and
not meet trick with trick."
124
PRIVA TE CORRESPONDENCE.
" You have a right to fight him with his own weapons, Excel-
lency ! As you said to me, I remember : ' War is war.' "
" Yes. That is to say, a dirty and brutal business. I mean to
have no more of this. What has happened ? "
" She was there, and the other, too."
" Not? "
" The Colonel ? No, indeed ! " said Jean, laughing. " He is
much too prudent for that. He sent his go-between or one of
them your friend, Mr. Wilkins."
" Ah ! " said Dr. Haworth, in a tone which proved how much
interest he took in Jean's statement.
" There was no mistaking him the moon was too bright. He
brought a letter and looked for hers. As I had found it before him,
he left the one he had brought and went away. Here are both, Ex-
cellency."
Dr. Haworth took the letters with evident repugnance. Then
as if he were disgusted with the whole affair, he threw them dis-
dainfully on the table and said to Jean :
" Read them to me."
Jean who seemed to regard the whole affair as a pleasant come-
dy, opened the letter brought by Wilkins first and read it in a low
tone. It contained only the lines :
" You may as well stop the watching, as it does no good. Get
the papers and then come away. That anonymous letter was sent
was it received and what effect did it have ? Somebody wants to
know all about it at once.
" P. S. Get the papers."
This was not signed in any manner and was in the handwriting
of a woman. Jean laid it on the table and said :
" Some woman in the town wrote that, I suppose ? "
" It seems so."
" Now for the communication from Miss B.," said Jean, laugh-
ing:
Miss Burns had written what follows :
" The anonymous letter came, and they only laughed at it. I
was at the folding-doors in the parlor and heard what they said.
Mr. Tim he pretended he believed it, and she was ready to bite his
head off, and began to cry. Then he laughed at her and said he
was fooling, and then she came in with him and she kissed him.
" That's all about that. I am coming home to-morrow, as I
PRIVA TR CORRESPONDENCE.
125
don't mean to stay here any longer. If somebody wants his papers
somebody will have to look himself. I am not going to try again.
It is too risky, and it is no use, and I am not going out at night any
more. I've caught cold. What is worse, I can see they suspect
me, and I am sorry I ever had anything to do with this btisiness. I
wish you would tell somebody I must have that money.
" P. S. I thought I would write this note, which will be the last,
as I am not certain I can get off to-morrow. I believe that boy is
trying to find what takes me out walking about dark. I am going
away from here. Tell somebody I must have that money."
" Well," said Dr. Haworth, drily, " everything is tolerably plain
now. This comedy has reached the last act, and I wash my hands
of the wretched business."
There was a small fire burning in the fire-place. He took the
letters and threw them into it.
" Another person might have kept these papers to use against
her," he muttered. " I will not ! I am weary of tricks. I prefer
real war. I will open it and try which is the strongest ! "
He got up and stood before the fire, reflecting. At last he said,
turning to the boy :
"Jean, have the horses ready after breakfast. I wish you to
ride with me. As it is getting late and you are probably sleepy, we
had better retire."
He went to the door and bolted it.
" It is not probable that our young friend will repeat her visit,"
he said, " but it is as well to make sure of it."
He had not observed that as soon as his back was turned Jean
had snatched the notes from the fire and put them in his pocket.
About an hour after breakfast on the following morning Dr.
Haworth came down stairs booted and spurred for a ride. The
horses were ready at the rack and Jean was seated on a root of
the oak overshadowing it.
As Dr. Haworth came out the family carriage drove to the door;
and in reply to his question, who was going to ride, the dignified old
coachman informed him that Miss Burns was going home.
Miss Burns came down a few moments afterward, followed by a
servant carrying her small trunk, which was strapped behind the
vehicle. Then Mrs. Maurice and Miss Gary appeared and shook
hands in a friendly manner ; and Miss Burns got into the carriage
.and drove away.
126 THE WARRANTS.
She had not looked once at Dr. Haworth, but as the carriage
passed by Jean, seated on his root, she shot a furious glance at him.
Thereupon Jean rose suddenly, rushed to the vehicle and cried :
" You are not going, Miss Burns ! "
In the ardor of his feelings he seized the young lady's hand which
was hanging out of the window when the youth found more than
his match.
In a paroxysm of wrath Miss Burns administered a tingling slap
on Jean's cheek.
" How dare you squeeze my hand, you hateful wretch ! " cried
indignant Miss Burns.
" Did I squeeze it ? " said Jean, laughing and rubbing his cheek.
Miss Burns only replied with an exterminating frown, and the
carriage then disappeared in the direction of Abbeyville.
As this scene occurred on the side of the vehicle opposite to
the veranda it was not noticed. The group there were discussing
Miss Burns.
" It sounds very inhospitable," said gentle Mrs. Maurice, " but I
am glad Miss Burns is gone. There is something about her which
I do not altogether like."
As nobody was more charitable than this kind woman, Miss
Burns seemed to have made an unfortunate impression.
XVI.
THE WARRANTS.
AN hour afterward Dr. Haworth and Jean were at Prof. Les-
ner's. The morning was pleasant and the whole surroundings were
as bright and homelike as ever ; but the Professor seemed not to
have been tempted out. He was not in the grounds, and leaving
Jean with the horses Dr. Haworth went and knocked at the front
door, half enveloped in creeping vines.
A feeble voice from the library on the right said, " Come in,"
and Dr. Haworth entered the room. Prof. Lesner was half-reclin-
ing in a large arm-chair with a book upon his knees. His eyes were
dreamy, and there was an unmistakable odor of laudanum in the
apartment.
"Good morning, sir," said Dr. Haworth in a tone of pity. It
THE WARRANTS,
127
was evident that the poor professor had been indulging in his fatal
habit. But the indulgence did not seem to have been extreme. The
pallor of his face and a slight trembling of his hands were the only
indications that he had returned to his vice.
" Dr. Haworth," he said, rising politely, " I am truly happy to see
you. I was by myself and moping. Sit down, Doctor, sit down."
He shook hands cordially, and pointed to a seat.
" Our friends at Mauncewood are well, I hope ? "
" Quite well," replied Dr. Haworth.
" They are charming people, charming. I really envy you your
good fortune as an inmate of the family. They are my old and
cherished friends."
" Then you are even more fortunate than myself, Professor. I
have only recently had the pleasure of .becoming acquainted with
them. You have known them a long time, you say ? ''
"Oh, yes," said Prof. Lesner, with a bright smile on his pale
face; "all my life or rather, all theirs, Doctor, for I am getting to
be an old man, now."
" Yes, I recall our former conversation, which referred, you re-
member, to that unhappy affair at Mauricewood."
" I remember very well ; we discussed, I think, the question of the
real criminal," said Prof. Lesner.
" Yes ; well, I think I have discovered something at last about
the murder."
" Ah ! " said Prof. Lesner, with an air of great interest.
"Your theory did not satisfy me that Mr. Maurice had met his
death by accidentally slipping and striking his head on a projection
of his bedstead."
" It was only a conjecture, Doctor ; it could scarcely be anything
more."
" It is improbable, as I believe I said when we discussed it be-
fore. There was a bona fide murder, I am certain."
" It is, perhaps, more probable."
" And it was not committed with the hammer found on the
floor."
"Not with the hammer? "
" You seem surprised, which is very natural ! "
" You interest me deeply, Doctor. Then you have discovered
something some weapon wh ! ch was employed, you think ? "
"Yes, sir; I will explain," said Dr. Haworth. "Before going
128 THE H'AKRA.VTS.
any further, however, it is necessary to inform you that I have not
called this morning on a merely friendly visit. My business is quite
serious, and I beg you will regard what I say as addressed to you
in your official capacity."
" My official capacity, Doctor? "
" As a magistrate. You informed me recently that you had been
commissioned a Justice."
" That is true a very poor one, I fear, but I was a sort of ama-
teur lawyer once, and shall manage to stumble along, I hope."
" I have every confidence in your capacity, sir, and believe your
friends have made an excellent selection. It is in your character of
magistrate, therefore, that I shall say to you what I have to say."
"Certainly it shall be strictly confidential. Do I understand
you to say that it relates to the murder of Mr. Maurice ? "
" Yes, sir."
" To the manner of his death, I think you said."
" Precisely. He was not struck on the head with the hammer
or any other weapon at first at least. He was garrotecl."
" Garroted ! what is that ? Oh, yes I believe I understand you.
Do you really think so ? What induces you to believe it ? Gar-
roted ! "
" The discovery of this cord in his bed," said Dr. Haworth, tak-
ing the garrote from his pocket.
" That very cord ! " exclaimed Prof. Lesner, looking at the fatal
object with an air of repugnance.
" This very cord. It had been dropped by the murderer or was
broken in the struggle ; here are marks of a fracture. Mr. Maurice
was first strangled, and possibly finished by a blow."
" And that has lain there for twenty years ? It is really horrible,
Doctoi ! "
"The failure to discover it was very simple," said Dr. Haworth,
" The hammer explained everything, and no one thought of search-
ing the bed where the clothing was tossed about so that this cord
was concealed. The room was then locked, and I only found this
on a recent visit to it."
" Well, well ! " said poor Prof. Lesner, looking with horror at the
garrote ; " who would have believed it ? Why, Mr. Maurice must
have been strangled, Doctor! "
" Unquestionably."
" Who could have been guilty of such a thing ? "
THE WARRANTS.
129
" I think I have discovered who was guilty, or at least an accom-
plice in the crime."
" Who can you mean ? "
"Col. Ross, of this neighborhood."
Prof. Lesner looked at the speaker with an expression of the pro-
fcundest astonishment.
" Col. Ross ! " he exclaimed, " can you believe that ? "
"Yes."
" It is impossible. Why, Col. Ross is one of the most respecta-
ble citizens of the county, Doctor ! "
" That is his standing, I know. Men of wealth are almost al-
ways respected. The fact remains that Col. Ross is connected with
the affair by circumstances which it will be necessary for him to ex-
plain."
" Col. Ross ! " repeated the poor Professor, unable apparently to
take in the idea ; " could that be possible ? "
" Yes. I understand your surprise. It is quite natural to doubt
charges brought against rich and respectable people. I need not
s-~y that I would never have suspected such a thing of Col. Ross
without grave grounds for doing so."
" You have grounds, then ? "
" Certainly. I have come to state them, after which I shall re-
quest you to issue a warrant for his arrest on the charge of murder,"
" A warrant ! "
"Your magistrate's warrant. Having resolved to prosecute Col.
Ross, and bring home to him if I can the guilt of that murder, I do
so regularly by applying for a warrant to arrest him."
" Yes, certainly," said Prof. Lesner, sighing ; " what you say is
perfectly correct. It is my business to grant the warrant if I think
your statement affords ground for it, Doctor. You must pardon me
for being prudent in this very serious affair."
" It is proper that you should, Professor, or your Worship, as I
ought now to call you."
" I prefer Professor, my dear Doctor ! I fear I am a very inef-
ficient worship. I will not hesitate to grant you the warrant for Col.
Ross' arrest if you show me reasonable grounds for it. I am only
a poor recluse and he is rich and powerful, but that will not deter
me."
" I am sure it will not. I will therefore proceed to state the cir-
cumstances,"
THE WARRANTS.
Dr. Haworth's statement consumed more than an hour. His
theory of the murder of James Maurice was briefly this :
1. Mr. Ducis was entirely innocent and had been the victim of a
plot.
2. The person who had conceived the plot was Col. Ross, who
had quarreled and fought with Maurice the younger in South America
about a woman. Maurice was the successful lover, and Ross had
resolved to revenge himself.
3. They both returned to the United States, and John Maurice's
marriage to his second wife, Miss Ellen Maurice, was the moment
selected for his murder. This was arranged by Col. Ross then
Lieut. Ross, of the navy his design being to put an end to his
enemy on the very night of his wedding.
4. Col. Ross did not execute the design himself in all probability.
The actual criminal was no doubt the man Wilkins who had been
suborned by Ross to commit the murder. He had quarreled with
the Maurice family and was known to have hated them.
5. The woman Pitts was an accomplice, and entered into the
plot to secure the money paid by Mr. Ducis to Mr. James Maurice.
6. Ross supposed that the chamber of Mr. James Maurice was
that of the bride and bridegroom, since the young lady's presents
were displayed there. His accomplice entered through the window,
strangled the person occupying the bed in the dim light of the night
taper, and probably struck him afterward with the hammer; the
woman Pitts carrying off the money.
7. The hammer and glove were or were not intended to crimi-
nate Mr. Ducis. If they were, the weapon was purchased for the
purpose.
8. The whole affair was inspired by Ross, who had lived in
South America and was familiar with the operation of the garrote.
The aim in employing it was to insure the silence of the victim, who
had, however, cried out and alarmed the house.
9. The proofs that Col. Ross had a thorough understanding with
the persons engaged in the actual commission of the crime were his
night visit to the man and woman in the hills ; the words uttered by
him on that occasion and overheard by Jean Baptiste ; the visit of
his paid agent, Miss Burns, to Mauricewood to watch Dr. Haworth ;
the employment of Wilkins to carry the letters ; but above all the
use of the Spanish garrote, which would never have entered the
mind of a citizen of the United States as a weapon of murder.
THE CONSTABLES RETURN. 131
" I have stated the case, sir," said Dr. Haworth. " Do you see
fit to grant warrants for the arrest of all these people? "
" Yes ! " said Prof. Lesner, with animation. " You have con-
vinced me almost against my will, Doctor. What a black affair !
Yes, I will make them out at once, returnable, shall I say, to-mor-
row at 10 o'clock in the morning ? "
To this Dr. Haworth assented, declaring that he would take
them in person to Abbeyville and place them in the hands of the
constable. The blank warrants were then executed and handed to
Dr. Haworth, and he and Prof. Lesner entered into a brief conver-
sation on other topics. Dr. Haworth was struck by his host's
power of mind and extensive information. The poor recluse had
evidently cultivated his intellect to a very high degree. Unfortu-
nately he had not trained his will to resist the insidious enemy,
opium.
When Dr. Haworth went away they exchanged a cordial grasp
of the hand, and Prof. Lesner said, shaking his head :
" This is a terrible affair, Doctor charging so respectable a man
as Cplonel Ross with such a crime ! But the law makes no distinc-
tions. I am only a poor man and he is wealthy and influential,
but you will not find me wanting. I will examine all of these peo-
ple to-morrow, and unless they explain the suspicious circumstances,
I will commit them to jail without bail."
" I see plainly that you will perform your official duty under all
circumstances, sir," said Dr. Haworth.
He then bowed and rode away with Jean. An hour afterward
he was at Abbeyville and the warrants were in the hands of a
constable. Dr. Haworth then returned to Mauricewood.
XVII.
THE CONSTABLE'S RETURN.
ABOUT 9 o'clock on the following morning Dr. Haworth, ac-
companied by Jean Baptiste, set out on horseback for Prof. Les-
ner's.
His expression was animated, the look of the hunter who is on
the track of his game. Now that the moment for action had come,
his moody absorption had all disappeared. The soldier had re-
1*2 THE CONSTABLE'S RETURN".
placed the dreamer, and he rode on rapidly with an air of almost
joyous anticipation.
" I begin to think I have missed my vocation in life, Jean ! " he said.
" Your vocation, Excellency ? What pleases you so much ? "
" I was born for a thieftaker a policemen to say ' I arrest you,'
to people."
" I see. You are happy now at the idea of putting your hand,
as you call it, on our friend the Colonel ! "
" Yes. ' Happy ' is not the word. Doing nothing in this busi-
ness has rankled in me for years. I have been to the United States
before on this errcmd, but could never see what was to be done.
Now I see ! In half an hour the game will open."
Having said this, Dr. Haworth spurred on and reached Prof.
Lesner's, where he threw himself from his horse.
" Wait here until I call you," he said to Jean ; " your testimony
will be taken."
Jean sat down on the horse-block just outside the small gate
smoking a cigarette, and Dr. Haworth went to the door and knocked.
" Come in," said the voice of Prof. Lesner, and Dr. Haworth en-
tered the library.
The Professor had discarded his dressing-gown and was clad in
a neat bkck coat in honor of the occasion. The table had been
cleared of its litter of books and papers, an official-looking register
was lying open upon it with pen and ink near, and a package of
blank warrants, together with a Bible, lay beside them.
At Dr. Haworth 's entrance Prof. Lesner rose courteously and
shook hands. His face was friendly but grave. A night's reflec-
tion had no doubt' shown him the full nature of the step he was
about to take. Indeed, to issue a warrant for the arrest of so
prominent a person in the county as Col. Ross was a very serious
matter.
"I was expecting you, Doctor," he said. "Take a seat. It is
past if>, I believe."
Dr. Haworth looked at his watch.
"We have still five minutes," he said, sitting down in one of
two or three chairs which seemed to have been drawn forward for
the occasion.
" My clock is a little fast, I am afraid," said Prof. Lesner, glanc-
ing at- an old affair in the corner. " I was wondering why you had
not arrived and the constable with the prisoners."
.THE CONSTABLE'S RETURN.
133
'- They will arrive soon now, I have no doubt, sir. They are
not due for four minutes yet, as your warrant was made returnable
at the hour of 10, I believe."
" Yes."
Prof. Lesner uttered the word after drawing a long breath. Dr.
Haworth glanced at him, and he met the look.
" I see you think I regret having issued the warrants, Doctor,"
said Prof. Lesner. " I do not it was my sworn duty ; but you
must make allowances for an old man who has lived so long in re-
tirement. I almost wish now I had not been commissioned a mag-
istrate I am not born for these agitating affairs. Col. Ross is a
man of good standing I have never heard anything against him
since he was a young man, and then he was only a little wild. Are
you certain there is just ground for arresting him on this fearful
charge ? "
" Yes ! " said Dr. Haworth briefly. " His good character has
nothing to do with the matter, sir. It is a legal investigation.
When there is a question of that no man's apparent good character
should exempt him from inquiry from arrest, if necessary."
Prof. Lesner sighed and said :
" You are no doubt right. I agree that the circumstances you
mentioned are very suspicious."
" They are much more than suspicious, sir ! "
" And if the question had only been the arrest of the man Wil-
kins and that woman "
" I understand your distinction, but the law applies to all, high
and low alike. An honest man ought to invite investigation if any
one brings a charge against'him. If Col. Ross is innocent you are
acting as his friend."
" Do you really think so ? " said Prof. Lesner, brightening up a
little.
" Certainly."
" I am glad you mentioned it. I will tell him that such was my
view it will at least smooth matters a little I think."
" There is no objection to your doing so of course. You arc
about to have the opportunity. I hear the sound of hoofs. Our
friends are coming."
Prof. Lesner listened, and hearing the sound from the road ar-
ranged his papers with a rather tremulous hand due to agitation at
the approaching ceremony or his unfortunate habit.
J34
THE CONSTABLE'S RETURN.
" Here is some one," said Dr. Haworth, hearing a footstep on
the porch. " Where are the rest ? "
A man came in, and took off his hat. He was a rough looking
personage, in a suit of soiled brown and horseman's boots.
" Well ? " said Prof. Lesner, with a rather ludicrous assumption
of official dignity.
The return on the warrants, your Worship," said the man,
ducking his head and coming forward with some papers in his
hand.
" Where are the persons I desired to be arrested ? " said Prof.
Lesner.
" Non est inwenf us, sir ? " returned the man in a gruff voice.
" Not found ! "
" That's jest it, your Worship. Mr. Briggs he was took sick and
give me the warrants to serve. Well, Wilkins and his wife ain't at
home and Col. Ross is gone to Washington."
Dr. Haworth sat still, looking fixedly at the man.
" Is that true ? " he said, in a hard voice.
The constable turned round and looked at him rather insolently.
He said nothing, but his look said : " Who are you ? "
Dr. Haworth was about to reply to the look, but Prof. Lesner
forestalled him. The poor Professor was evidently not ill pleased.
Indeed he seemed scarcely able to suppress his satisfaction. He
made an effort, however, and said, with grave dignity :
" Do I understand you to say that Mr. Briggs intrusted the war-
rants to you ? "
" I'm his deputy yes, he give 'em to me to serve, your Wor-
ship."
" And Wilkins and his wife, you say, were not to be found ? "
" House locked up and not a livin' soul on the premises," said
the deputy.
" You went to Col. Ross' of course ? "
" In course, your Worship. He had left by the morning train
6:30."
Prof. Lesner looked at Dr. Haworth, whose brows were con-
tracted until his eyebrows nearly met.
" With your Worship's permission I will ask the constable a
question," he said.
" Certainly, Doctor, certainly."
Dr. Haworth turned to the man and said :
77/E CONSTABLE'S RETURN.
135
" Are you acquainted with Wilkins or Mrs. Wilkins ? "
" Well, I've seen "em," said the deputy shortly.
" Are they related to you ? "
" You mean kin ? No, they are not."
" Are they friends or relatives of Mr. Briggs ? "
The man hesitated.
"Answer," said Dr. Haworth.
" I've heard tell that Wilkins' wife was a Briggs afore she mar-
ried her first husband."
" Well," said Dr. Haworth, in the same hard voice, " I have no
further questions to ask you."
The response was a rafher sullen look, and the deputy then. said
to Prof. Lesner :
" Done with me, sir ? "
" I I really am in a maze," said Prof. Lesner feebly. " What
would you advise, Doctor ? But I ought to decide for myself, I
suppose. These warrants are returned indorsed ' not found.' I had
better issue new ones and direct a search to be made for the parties.
Those people must be found, and Col. Ross must have a new war-
rant served on him. Would you advise me to issue it now ? "
" No, sir," said Dr. Haworth, after a moment spent in gloomy
reflection ; " it is useless. Some accident might happen. Mr.
Briggs might be taken ill again. I will apply to you when I think
it is necessary."
" But the other parties ? "
" They will not be found unless I find them. The whole mat-
ter is perfectly plain. You may issue the warrant I requested
against them, however, if you think best."
" I think it would be better," Prof. Lesner said, in some agita-
tion. " I really feel quite unwell, but I will make out the new war-
rants."
With a shaking hand he then took a blank warrant and made it
out for the arrest of Wilkins and his wife.
" Use every exertion to find these people," he said to the dep-
uty constable. " It is unnecessary to trouble Mr. Briggs. As soon
as you arrest them bring them here at once, and I will send for the
Doctor to be present at the examination."
The deputy took the papers and said :
" That's all, your Worship ? "
" Yes use due diligence, my friend,"
136 THE CONSTABLE'S RETURN.
And much relieved either by this legal phrase, or the result of
the whole affair, Prof. Lesner bowed formally to the deputy, who
ducked his head in response and went away.
As he left the room Dr. Haworth rose.
" You are not going so soon, my dear Doctor? " said Prof. Les-
ner.
" It is quite useless for me to remain longer, sir," was Dr. Ha-
worth's reply in his hard, calm voice ; " the farce is over and I have
business to attend to."
" The farce ? "
" The matter is perfectly plain. This man Briggs is a relative
of that woman, and notified her last night that she was about to be
arrested. To prevent suspicion he is taken sick, and the warrant
served by his deputy or not served. The reason why the parties
were not found is easy to understand. The woman having been
warned, warned her husband, and he warned a friend of his Col.
Ross. Hence the sudden necessity of Col. Ross' presence in
Washington."
Prof. Lesner looked at Dr. Haworth with a helpless expression.
He then said a little indignantly :
" Is that possible ? But you must be right. It is an insult to
my authority ! I will have this man Briggs removed."
" You have no proof against him it is a mere surmise. I will
take the necessary steps. On Col. Ross' return I will call again on
your Worship, ^f Wilkins and the woman are arrested, I shall
be glad to hear from you."
" Promptly you will be notified promptly, Doctor ! And I will
issue a new warrant for the arrest of Col. Ross whenever you re-
quest me to do so. I shall then be better prepared to conduct the
examination. I am a little unwell to-day, and cannot say that I re-
gret the delay. But I will not be wanting, Doctor I will not be
wanting ! "
It was unnecessary for poor Prof. Lesner to say that he was not
as much disappointed as his guest. Nothing was plainer than his
air of relief. Like most persons who have spent their lives in seclu-
sion he evidently shrunk from resolute action ; and his nerves were
doubtless unstrung from other causes.
He accompanied Dr. Haworth to the door, and shook hands
with a friendly smile.
" Come again and see me unofficially," he said. " Your vis-
THE CONSTABLE'S RETURN.
137
its are a great luxury, as I have no company but my birds and
bees!"
Dr. Haworth bowed and then rode away with Jean. The boy
had asked no questions, but his look did so.
" You are anxious to know what has happened, I suppose,
Jean ? " said Dr. Haworth,
" Yes, Excellency."
" Well, Col. Ross was notified last night, that he would be ar-
rested this morning and took the train at daylight for Washington."
" What effect will that have on your Excellency's plans ? "
" It will have none."
PART III.
CONVERGING.
DR. HAWORTH ENGAGES THE WIRE TO LIMA.
THE josmals which came to Mauricewood and afforded enter-
tainment if not instruction to Mr. Tim Maurice and the ladies, all
at once began to be filled with the details of a scandal.
Col. Ross was the hero of it, and loomed up suddenly as the great
South American Colossus who managed affairs social, political, in-
dustrial and international in that quarter of the globe. -
He was alternately exalted as the flower and climax of modern
civilization, and denounced as the incarnation of all that was corrupt.
His enemies laughed at him, styling him Col. Sellers Ross, and said
that he bribed people. His friends defended him and declared that
he was a model of a good citizen. Having been summoned before
a committee he was badgered unmercifully ; and as his Russian
Majesty had not been shot at for a fortnight, and there was noth-
ing new from the East, the newspapers in the dearth of news filled
their columns with Col. Sellers Ross and his private affairs.
As Mr. Tim Maurice was a great reader of the newspapers, and
took a number, he became familiar with the proceedings, and
seemed to derive great pleasure from the daily reports of the bad-
gering to which Col. Ross was subjected. He made pleasant com-
ments in the bosom of his family, and one morning said to Dr.
Haworth, rubbing his hands with evident enjoyment :
" Our friend, the Colonel, seems to have gotten into difficulties ! "
" It seems so," said Dr. Haworth.
" The fate of public men ! Now I have always considered my-
DR. HA WORTH ENGAGES THE WIRE TO LIMA,
139
self lucky in occupying a ' private station.' Let a man once get out
of it and all is over with him."
" That is very true."
" It really is a debasing business ! " said Uncle Tim in a dis-
gusted tone. " What makes people ambitious ? Take the case of
a human being who has health, competence, and lives happily well,
one day he is suddenly bit by a morbid longing to be somebody
a Senator or President. What good will it do him ? As soon as
he becomes a candidate everybody opposed to him swears he is a
scoundrel. The morning papers take away his appetite. The
evening edition keeps him from sleeping. Gall and wormwood are
his bill of fare for breakfast, dinner and supper. Is it worth it ? "
" It is far from being worth it."
" Why do they play the losing game, then?-losing whether they
win or not ? They are apt to be gray, for ambition generally attacks
that sort of people. They have twenty years to live say why do
they prefer living it in hot water ? "
" They seem to like it," said Dr. Haworth philosophically.
" Well, every man to his taste. I would rather eat and sleep and
laugh and enjoy my life a little than be Senator or President if my
liver is to be out of order and I am to breakfast on the opposition
newspapers ! "
Uncle Tim thereupon laughed heartily, and refolding his paper
said :
" Friend Ross is having a hard time of it. They are charging
him with all sorts of rascalities. I suppose it is the penalty for be-
coming a rich man."
" The committee, I believe, is still engaged in examining him, and
he will no doubt be detained in Washington," said Dr. Haworth.
" I don't know. I have not seen him since his last visit, and he
has not mentioned the subject." f>
Uncle Tim smiled when he said " since his last visit." The
Colonel's mishap was now no secret.
Dr. Haworth made no further allusion to him, and an hour
afterward rode in the direction of Abbeyville. As he went along
he said :
" There will be time enough. He will be obliged to return, and
then war ! The main point is to be ready."
He rode on. and soon reached Abbeyville, where he dismounted
in front of the telegraph office. This was attached to the railway
140 DR. II A WORT II ENGAGES THE WIRE TO LIMA.
recently built through the town, and the operator was a polite young
man, who bowed with an utter absence of " official dignity."
" Do you connect by telegraph at Lima, sir ? " said Dr. Ha-
worth.
The agent looked at his book and said :
" Yes, sir ; by cable or the City of Mexico and Panama."
" I wished to ascertain. I shall probably have a dispatch to
send to-day or to-morrow. Is it possible to control the wires for an
hour, say I mean, to monopolize them ? "
The agent looked a little dubious.
" It might be done, sir except public dispatches on govern-
ment business but it would be costly."
" I should expect it to be. My object is to send and receive a
number of messages to a person stationed in the office at Lima."
" I understand to have a talk," said the young man, smiling.
" Yes."
" It might be easy or the opposite to keep the wires clear."
" I will probably call then and try. My business is private."
" It will be so regarded under all circumstances, sir as far as
is office is concerned."
" You mean that messages not in cipher are not private in the
fullest sense, since they are repeated by the instruments in every
office ? "
" Yes, sir."
" It is of no importance, since your rules of privacy apply, I sup-
pose, to all."
Dr. Haworth then bowed, remounted his horse, and instead of
returning to Mauricewood, rodfe in the direction of Dr. Seabright's.
As hereached the outer gate he saw the gray-haired physician ap-
proaching from the opposite direction and waited Tor him.
" Good morning, Dr. Seabright," he said ; " have you a mo-
ment's leisure ? "
" No," said Dr. Seabright, shaking hands with what he meant
for cordiality. " Never have any don't know what the word
means. But that's no matter, I take it ! Come in glad to see
you."
DR. SEABRIGHT^ 141
II.
DR. SEABRIGHT.
THEY rode in and dismounted. Dr. Seabright leading- the way
into his small home, where, being a widower and childless, he led a
life which must have been a dreary one if it had not been so busy.
" Sit down, Brother Sawbones," he said, with grim jocularity.
" You know that's a pet name with the vulgar crowd who don't
appreciate the dignity of intellect."
He drew forward a split-bottomed chair for Dr. Haworth and
added :
" I have not smoked to-day."
He then lit a long-stemmed clay pipe, offering another to Dr.
Haworth, who, however, declined.
" Tim Maurice and the ladies are well to-day ? " he said.
" Perfectly well."
" He is a friend of mine a genuine man. I have known him
since he was a boy."
" You are no doubt acquainted with every one in the neighbor-
hood ? "
" Every living soul, and a number of people who are dead."
" You remind me," said Dr. Haworth, " that we were speaking
the other day of that unfortunate affair at Mauricewood. You
knew Mr. James Maurice and Mr. Ducis, "\vho was charged with
that murder ? "
" Certainly."
" I think you said Mr. Ducis was a friend of yours ? "
" The best friend I ever had one of nature's noblemen ! " said
Dr. Seabright, smoking like a steamboat funnel.
Dr. Haworth made no reply. He fixed his eyes upon Dr. Sea-
bright, and for about a minute continued to look straight at him.
This fixed gaze evidently attracted his companion's attention, for he
returned it with one from beneath his bushy gray brows which
seemed keen enough to bore a hole.
" Dr. Seabright," said Dr. Haworth, " I have come to this coun-
try to find who murdered Mr. James Maurice of Mauricewood, on
the night of the 7th of May, 1860, and require your assistance."
At these words Dr. Seabright rose slowly in his chair, knocked
the ashes from his pipe, and said :
142 DR. SEABRIGHT.
" Who are you, and what is your object ? "
" It is unnecessary to reply to either question. I will reply to
both when the time comes, and that will be very soon. I repeat
what I said. I mean to discover who murdered James Maurice
and the first step is to discover who did not."
Dr. Seabright had never taken his eyes from the face of his com-
panion.
"Explain what you mean by the words ' who did not,' " he said.
" It is not necessary, since you already understand. Mr. Ducis,
you say, was innocent ? "
"Yes I'll swear to that."
" It has never been proved."
" No, it has not been proved in a court of justice."
" Do you wish to have the fact established there ? "
" The innocence of my friend Henry Ducis ? Dr. Haworth, if
you will furnish me with evidence to wipe off the stain on his name
I will sit down there at that table and make you a deed for this home,
my farm, and all outstanding accounts due me for ten years back."
' " I will furnish the evidence or make the attempt without the
deed ; but I require your help. Do you mean to give it ? "
" Yes ! " said Dr. Seabright with a flush in his wintry cheeks.
" And now talk plainly. I don't care to know why you are inter-
ested in this matter, or anything about it. If you think you can
clear the memory of Henry Ducis from this charge, you can count
on Robert Seabright."
Dr. Haworth extended his hand and said :
"It is agreed then that from this time we will act together,
is it?"
" It is agreed ! " said Dr. Seabright, grasping the hand with the
wrench of a vice.
" Well, now that this is understood I will ask you some que^
tions."
" I will answer any and all I can."
" Are we alone ? "
Dr. Seabright went and shut the doors.
" There is not a soul in the house but my old house-keeper, who
is as deaf as a post," he said.
He then sat down again.
THE APPOINTMENT. 143
III.
THE APPOINTMENT.
DURING this conversation Dr. Haworth's expression had grad-
ually grown animated. It is possible that he had anticipated diffi-
culties which had not presented themselves.
"What I shall now say, Dr. Seabright," he began, "is said to
you with absolute confidence to the friend of Henry Ducis."
" Understood ! I am not a gossip ; what you say to me is said
to no one else."
" I am sure of you I am not sure of many people. I will now
come to the point."
" Nothing I like better ! "
" Who was the keeper of the warehouse where Mr. Ducis pur-
chased the fertilizers on the 7th or the 8th of May, 1860? "
" His name was Thomas Williams."
"Is he living? "
" Yes."
" You are, perhaps, acquainted with him ? "
" I ought to be. I have practiced in his family for twenty-five
years."
" Is he still in business ? "
" No ; his nephew is, however."
" At Sinclair Station ? " ,,
" They call it Sinkler's yes."
" Do you ever ride in that direction ? "
" Frequently. "
" Will it be agreeable to you to do so to-morrow ? "
" Yes. I think I understand what your ride is for, but "
" I will come back to this point in a moment. On the trial of
Mr. Ducis the hammer and glove found at Mauricewood were pro-
duced I suppose."
" Of course."
" Where are they now ? "
" Don't know. The Sheriff or jailer may have them."
" Are the same people living ? "
"They are both dead."
" You are acquainted with those serving at present ? "
" I know them both."
144 THE APPOINTMENT.
" It is possible that the hammer and glove may be found. These
pieces of evidence are sometimes kept or they are thrust into some
closet when they are not given away to curiosity-hunters."
"Yes."
" It is desirable to secure them both if they can be secured."
Dr. Seabright had re-filled his pipe, and was smoking and re-
flecting.
" Well, I think I understand what you are after," he said at
length. " You are curious to have a look at the hammer which was
said to be the weapon that murdered James Maurice though it
never did ; the glove that was found outside the window ; and the
leaf of the ledger with the entry of the purchase of the fertilizers by
Henry Ducis."
" Precisely."
" It is doubtful whether the glove and hammer can be found,"
said Dr. Seabright, " but there will be no trouble about the ledger.
Old Tom Williams was a methodical man and never destroyed
papers. His ledgers for thirty years are piled up somewhere but
it will be useless to look at the entry."
" Why ? "
" I examined it myself at the time of the trial. The date was
May 8, which was the day after the murder, and the alibi fell to the
ground."
" Was Mr. Williams sworn ? "
"Certainly. He testified that he had no means of fixing the
exact day besides the entry ; he only remembered that Mr. Ducis
had been at the warehouse about sunset, and after finishing his busi-
ness rode further on to spend the night at his friend's, Mr. Russell's,
he said."
" Mr. Russell, I understand, could not swear positively whether
this was the night of the 7th or 8th ? "
" He said he could not swear he believed it was the 7th."
" So the entry in the ledger was corroborated ? "
" To that extent that Russell could not positively contradict it."
" The entry has been tampered with," said Dr. Haworth, " to
destroy Mr. Ducis.'"
"Well," said Dr. Seabright, coolly, "that theory was set up,
but there was no erasure."
"That is the question."
" I examined it myself."
THE APPOINTMENT. 145
" 1 wish to examine it in my turn."
Dr. Seabright shook his head.
" Can you arrange with Mr. Williams to afford the opportune
ty?"
" Easily there will be no trouble. The ledgers are apt to be at
Williams' house but it is time lost."
" I will lose the time. Are you willing to lose yours, too ? "
: Yes."
" To-morrow ? "
"Yes."
" Well, I will be here at 9 in the morning if that is not too early."
" At 7 if you like better."
" Nine will answer. Meanwhile, there is the hammer and glove.
It might be better for me not to appear too prominently in this busi-
ness."
" You are right. I will go this very evening and see whether
they are about the jail or the sheriff's. I can make up a pretext
without lying, which I don't like."
" Then all is understood, Doctor ? "
" Yes understood as thoroughly as if you told me that you had
your own reasons, outside of mere curiosity, to clear up this affair.
I don't care a baubee what they are, Dr. Haworth. I don't mean
to ask you a single question. I don't like strangers, as a general
thing, and I have never had any very extraordinary confidence in
human nature, which, according to my thinking, is rather a slippery
affair. Some men are genuine, but the majority are sneaks. I like
your face and I will trust you. I never saw a man with your look
out of the eyes who was a rascal ! That's the way I caught the
expert asses on the trial every eye was the eye of a sneak ! The
trash knew nothing of what they were talking about, and they knew
they knew ! I'll help you up to the handle in this affair, Dr. Ha-
worth ! You are not going to make anything of that ledger entry,
but I'll see that you have a look at it all the same. Are you going?
Grog ? No ? Well, good day. I'll be ready."
I 4 6 THE ENTKV f.V THE LEDGER.
IV.
THE ENTRY IN THE LEDGER.
WHEN Dr. Haworth made his appearance at Dr. Seabright's on
the following morning he found him seated smoking a pipe in the
sunshine of his small porch.
" You are punctual," he said, taking out a huge silver watch ;
"it is one minute before 9."
As he was speaking an ancient clock within slowly struck the
hour.
" Confound this watch ! It is never right ! " exclaimed Dr. Sea-
bright. " That clock keeps perfect time and this watch never will
run with it two days in succession ! "
" The difference is slight your horse is ready, Doctor ? "
" I was indulging in a smoke. I could not find the hammer and
glove."
" Then you searched for them ? "
" Everywhere. I have no doubt they were taken by curiosity-
lovers. That is a queer phase of human nature."
" Strange, indeed."
" It is a perfect passion with some people. They will pay dear
for a piece of the rope that hangs a murderer. I suppose a chip of
the nitro-glycerine shell that blew up Czar Alexander would bring
$1,000."
" Yes"
" To come to business. I went to the jail and the Sheriff's and
talked of this and that and found they knew nothing about the ham-
mer and glove. They are non est inventus, if that's Latin."
"I attached no importance to them."
" I understand you agree with me that the murder was committed
with that cord you showed me or garrote, as you call it."
" Yes."
" There's your real curiosity ! Why don't you put it up for sale
it would bring its weight in gold ! But here I am getting away
again. As the cord was the cause of all, the hammer amounted to
little and it never was identified as Henry Ducis' property ; nor the
glove, which was a common riding gauntlet. I examined it, and
there were no marks upon it. There was nothing to show that it
belonged or didn't belong to Mr. Ducis."
THE ENTRY IN THE LEDGER.
" It is of little importance. It is the entry in the ledger that I am
curious about."
Dr. Seabright shook his head, and said in a discouraged
tone:
" That amounts to no more than the rest."
" I have not satisfied myself that you are right."
" You think there is "
" Time to talk on our side," said Dr. Haworth, quietly. " We
can be certain of nothing without a sight of the entry."
" You will be no more certain after seeing it."
" Let me judge."
"You can," said Dr. Seabright, drawing a folded sheet of paper
from his breast pocket; "here it is."
" The entry ! "
" Tihe leaf from my friend Williams' ledger which you wanted to
look at," said Dr. Seabright, unfolding the paper in a deliberate
manner. " After you left I thought it would be better for you not
to appear in the business, as you said it might create remark. So
I rode to Sinkler's yesterday evening and found old Tom Williams
on his porch. He was glad to see me and showed me the ledger
at the first word without asking why I wanted to see it even. It
was waste paper only now, he said, and to make a long story short,
I cut out the leaf before his eyes. He neither knew nor cared why
I did and here it is."
Dr. Haworth had been looking fixedly at the paper which Dr.
Seabright had handed him.
" This is the actual entry, then ! " he said, with a glow on his
face. " May 8, 1860 the day after the murder ! The alibi was
disproved, unless this date was falsified ! "
Dr. Haworth drew from his pocket a small but very powerful
microscope, which he applied to the spot on the paper. For some
minutes he examined it closely.
" Well ? " said Dr. Seabright.
" There has been no erasure," he said, with a gloomy expression.
" There is a difference in the strokes of this figure and the same
figure elsewhere but that may have arisen from the fact that differ-
ent persons made the entries."
"Yes."
' And the same persons form letters and figures differently in
writing at different times,"
148 THE ENTRY AV THE LEDGER.
Dr. Haworth was looking at the paper, moodily, his brows knit
together.
" There is absolutely no erasure," he muttered ; " the surface of
the paper is not frayed in the least degree, but "
" That proves it was a clerical error."
Dr. Seabright stopped, looking with some curiosity at the move-
ments of his companion. In fact, Dr. Haworth had raised the leaf
to his mouth and touched the date of the entry with the tip of his
tongue.
" What do you mean by that ? " said Dr. Seabright.
" I mean that I was right, after all," was the reply in a low voice,
accompanied by a threatening flash of the eye, " the entry has been
changed."
" How was that possible ? "
" By a very simple means oxalic acid or the oxolate of potash
are cheap and accessible chemicals. The real date has been oblit-
erated from this paper by a solution of one or the other and the false
date substituted."
" Are you sure of that ! " exclaimed Dr. Seabright.
"Judge for yourself. Touch this spot upon the paper with your
tongue."
Dr. Seabright did so.
" Sour ! " he said.
" Salt of sorrel is sour enough ! A salt of potassium and the
oxide resulted from the application of the solution the real date dis-
appeared, and the false date was written above it."
" Is it possible ? " said Dr. Seabright gruffly. " Yes, it is !
Who was the scoundrel ? "
" You use a plain word. Do you wish me to speak as plainly ? "
"Yes!"
" Is Col. Ross, of this neighborhood, a friend of yours ? "
" Col. Ross ! a friend of mine ? no, he is only an acquaint-
ance."
" Well, Col. Ross can inform you who falsified this date and de-
stroyed Mr. Ducis ! "
At this announcement Dr. Seabright rose erect in his seat, look-
ing at his companion with unmistakable astonishment.
" Col. Ross ! " he exclaimed.
" We agreed to speak to each other plainly I keep the agree-
ment."
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF OPIUM.
149
" You are right. But do you really believe that Col. Ross could ? "
" I counted on your surprise. I don't believe in half-confidences
with men like yourself. You have been frank with me I am frank
with you. You were the friend of Mr. Ducis, who died in jail, con-
victed of a crime which he never committed. I tell you the name
of the man who either committed the murder or was the prime
mover in the whole black affair. If you wish to know why I bring
this charge against Col. Ross I will tell you."
" Tell me leave out nothing," said the old physician in his gruff
and resolute voice. " If that man was the real murderer he shall be
brought to justice, or my name's not Robert Seabright ! "
V.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF OPIUM.
ONE morning, a few days after the interview with Dr. Seabright,
Mr. Tim Maurice locked his arm in the arm of his guest, Dr. Ha-
worth, as they rose from breakfast, and said, as they went into the
drawing-room :
" Do you know, my dear fellow, I think you have something on
your mind ? That locked-up chamber must have made you gloomy.
Even Cadie can't make you smile, sometimes ! "
Mr. Tim Maurice laughed. The engagement was, of course, no
secret from him.
" It is only your fancy that I am gloomy, my dear Mr. Maurice,"
said Dr. Haworth ; " I am not. I am naturally quiet."
" You ought to be happy."
" I am."
" Well, you seem I say again to have something on your mind !
or you are too idle here a man of action rusts when he has nothing
to do. The great mistake you have made in life was not becoming
a guano and nitrate agent."
" Like Col. Ross ? "
" Precisely, and then you would pass time in a lively manner."
" His examination still continues, I see. there before the House
Committee."
" Yes, and I fancy our friend is bothering the worthy people I
doubt if they are a match for him."
I5O TV/A PSYCHOLOGY OF OPIUM.
" I have not seen the morning papers. Is there a prospect of
Co\. Ross' return ? "
" He is not apt to be detained much longer, I fancy ; but you
know we never see him now, and it makes no difference as far as
the people at Mauricevvood are concerned."
Whether Dr. Haworth acquiesced in this view or not did not
appear. He said no more, and, sitting down, took up a book which
was lying on the center-table in the drawing-room with the air of
a man who does something merely to employ his hands.
The title of the volume was the " Psychology of Opium," and
Dr. Haworth knew at once that it was Prof. Lesner's work, which
had just appeared.
" A new book," he said to Mr. Tim Maurice.
" Yes, I picked it up in the book store at Abbeyville yesterday."
" The name of the author is not on the title-page, I see."
" Well, the work is rather peculiar and very personal, and so I
suppose he suppresses his name."
" Personal ? "
" The author gives his experience, as the Salvation Army people
say. I have been looking into the book, and see he describes his
own sensations."
" Under the influence of opium ? "
"Yes."
" What is his conclusion ? That the sensations are pleasant or
otherwise ? "
" Paradisical, I think he says it is all mere rhapsody."
" And he says nothing of the Inferno under the Paradise ? "
' Not a word. The fact is, I rather suppose Mr. what's his name
don't believe in any Inferno. As far as I can make out he believes
in nothing but opium."
" He believes, I suppose, in a soul, since he employs the term
psychology."
" Not at all in nothing of the sort. He incidentally mentions
as a fact accepted by all intelligent minds that death is the end of
life in every sense and that there is no hereafter. I don't trouble
myself much about these materialist people and their cranky ideas
I'm much too busy seeing the wheat seeded and straightening up
the fences. But now and then I amuse myself with these whim-
whams when they are amusing."
" I understand you ; they are frequently dull ? " *
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF OPIUM. \^\
"Well, yes awfully dull. This writer on opium psychology
puts me to sleep. I had a delightful snooze with his book on my
knees. But some passages are rather striking had a good supply
"of opium on board when they were written, I suppose."
He took the volume and read a paragraph aloud to Dr. Haworth.
It was a rapturous eulogy of the effects of the drug. Existence was
sublimated the real horizon of the world disappeared then two
pages of rhapsody set off with exclamation points.
" You are right," said Dr. Haworth ; " that smells of opium at a
league's distance. The man is a slave, and is bent on making others
slaves, too. I prefer being a free man."
" Well, so do I," said Uncle Tim cheerfully. " As you say, the
author of this book says nothing of the hell under his opium heaven.
I am willing to. bet that he is a miserable creature after his spells
with his poison, and don't enjoy his breakfast, dinner, or supper."
With which decisive commentary on the opium habit, Uncle
Tim put on his gloves, mounted his horse and went to look after
farm matters.
Dr. Haworth took up the " Psychology of Opium," and read here
and there in it for about half an hour. It was a curious perform-
ance. There were rapturous descriptions, evidently inspired by
those of De Quincey, and the author plainly aimed to show only the
bright side. But the miseries of opium here and there came out in
somber flashes chance phrases which reveal gulfs unfathomable
and full of darkness.
" It is really pitiful," said Dr. Haworth, laying down the book.
" This man was fitted to be a useful and even admirable member
of society. His intellect is clear and vigorous. He is a person of
extended information. His nature seems to be amiable to the last
degree and his instincts all excellent, but this cursed drug has ruined
him ! He believes in nothing but opium. He cares for nothing
but opium. He juggles with words, and speaks of psychologies, and
has no faith whatever in any psyche / It is the most curious demon-
stration that a human being may be morally irreproachable, and in-
tellectually a monstrosity."
He had been sitting with his back to the folding doors between
the drawing- and dining-rooms. All at once a soft touch came to
his shoulder, and looking up he saw Gary.
She was rather an attractive figure, though not romantic-looking
in a very high degree at the moment. She had on a calico work-
,,j 2 JEAN RETURNS Tr/7Y/ GOOD
apron extending from her chin to her boots, confined at the waist
by a belt, and she was busily wiping a saucer.
In fact, Miss Gary Maurice was washing up the " breakfast
things " like a dutiful young woman who would not have her mamma
do it, or allow careless servants to smash the best china. As her
sleeves were rolled up, one could see a very white pair of arms, and
Miss Gary was laughing quietly, both with her red lips and her blue
eyes, which were bewildering under the brown bangs.
She had heard Mr. Tim Maurice depart, and then Dr. Haworth's
muttered words. Curiosity compelling, she softly opened a fold in
the door, without attracting attention, stole behind the occupant or
the arm-chair, touched his shoulder, and when he looked up into her
eyes looked down into his.
Then Miss Gary went through a ceremony which is always
charming in her sex in case one is fond of them. She pushed the
hair back with a caressing movement from his forehead after
which she laughed.
What followed this agreeable pantomime ought perhaps to be
regarded as confidential, but then there is perhaps no impropriety
in briefly alluding to the circumstance.
Dr. Haworth took the hand smoothing his hair and kissed ft
with almost passionate tenderness. Then he pressed his lips to the
white arm also in the vicinity of the elbow and drew it toward him,
looking up at her.
Miss Gary's person naturally followed the arm, and then some-
thing took place.
She hesitated, resisted a little, looked behind her and blushed.
Then she stooped and touched his forehead quickly with her
lips and disappeared with a low laugh.
The rattle of cups and saucers a moment afterward, from the
dining-room, clearly indicated that business had supplanted romance.
VI.
JEAN RETURNS WITH GOOD NEWS.
DURING the whole day Dr. Haworth seemed to be absorbed in
thought and anxiously expecting something or the appearance of
some one.
JEAN RETURNS WITH GOOD NEWS. ^3
He walked to and fro on the veranda, turned his head from mo-
ment to moment and even during an afternoon interview with Gary
in the drawing-room exhibited every indication that something oc-
cupied his thoughts. Gary's smiles drove away his moody spell for
a time, but when she went to her household duties he got up and
began to pace to and fro again.
As the sun was sinking he put on his hat and walked out in the
grounds, taking the path toward the oak-tree which had served as
Miss Bums' post-office. He looked absently at it he was evidently
not thinking of it. All at once he heard the foot-falls of a horse
from the country road beyond the inclosure.
He went and leaned on the fence, which was of substantial
plank set in locust posts. A line of shubbery followed the line of
the inclosure, and through an opening in it he caught sight of the
horseman Jean Baptiste.
A word stopped him. He turned his head, saw Dr. Haworth
and pushing through the opening in the shrubbery, dismounted
quietly and threw his bridle over one of the posts.
" Good news, Excellency ! " he said. " I have found them ! "
" Found them ? "
Dr. Haworth's face indicated the profoundest satisfaction, and he
exclaimed :
" I knew you would never stop if you were once on their track,
Jean ! "
" Well, the trouble was to get on the track," said the young man
with his bright smile. " There's no great merit in running down a
fox if you can only start him it is a mere question of speed and
bottom. I have found our two foxes male and female at last ! "
" Tell me everything ! How did you find them ? "
" Well, your Excellency gave me an old hound to lead. After
you told me everything I went straight to Dr. Seabright. He is the
hound ! "
" Dr. Seabright ? "
" You have set him on fire in this business. He thinks of noth-
ing else. I can't explain it."
" Mr. Ducis was his dearest friend ! "
" Well, now I understand everything. I did not understand be-
fore. I knew enough though, from what you told me of your talk
with him, that he was with us heart and soul."
" You went straight to him, you say ? "
JEAN RETURNS WITH GOOD NEWS.
" As soon as I left you. You krrew I had worked by myself
without finding out anything. I suppose I have been at that house
in the hills twenty times if I have been once. Nothing there.
Every door and window shut, not even that cur dog in the kennel.
There were no foot-prints, no wheel tracks, and I could see through
a chink in the shutter that everything was just as it always was
the tub and stool, and even the frying-pan. They had got off be-
tween sundown and sunrise, as the country people say, and had not
had time to take the least thing with them."
" They were warned during the night probably. But Dr. Sea-
bright? "
" I am coming to the Doctor, Excellency. He's a curious old
fellow. When I walked in he growled out, ' Who are you f ' I
said, ' I am Jean Baptiste.' He growled again, ' Don't know you !
Who are you, I say, and what do you want ? ' I looked at him and
took his measure mangrove fruit with sharp prickles but sweet
and full of juice that makes good wine ! So I said, ' I am Dr. Ha-
worth's secretary, though he is so good to me that I am more lik^
his son, and I have come to ask you to help me to find Job Wilkina
and his wife.' "
" To the point ! "
" Yes it is the best way I think with men like the Doctor."
" You are right. Well ? "
" The words made him look around quickly, for he was about to
turn his back on me. Then he bored me through with his eyes.
' Come in here,' he said, and then he went and shut the door and
put me through a course of questions. I could see that he meant
to satisfy himself that I was what I said I was and in ten minutes
he had no doubt about it. Then he leaned back in his arm-chair,
knit his brows and said nothing. At last he got up and said : ' I
am going to ride you might be going in the same direction.' You
see he had rriade up his mind to hunt in the pack, Excellency."
" Yes."
" Well, we rode to the hill country south of this, and Dr. Sea-
bright stopped at about a dozen houses. I held his horse, and he
did not stay long. Nothing . I could see that by the expression
of his face when he came out. At last we came to a cabin, about
twenty miles from here, and Dr. Seabright staid there longer. All
the people he had met knew him, I could see, and you know doctor^
are always welcome with that sort they bring the news, may be."
JEAN RETURNS WITH GOOD NEWS. 155
Yes ! well ? "
" I saw as soon as he had come out of the cabin that he had
heard something. I was right. What he heard was that Job Wil-
kins and that woman were at a house ten miles west of the hills
hired there to do farm work and cook. There was no doubt about
it."
" You went on ? "
" Without a word, Excellency, and came at last in sight of the
house. I then went into the woods and the Doctor rode on. I
could see him stop at a field and talk with a man who was working.
They then rode up to the house, and after half an hour Dr. Sea-
bright came back. ' Are you thirsty ? ' he said to me, looking at
me from under his gray eyebrows. ' No, sir,' I said. ' Well, if you
are you can get a drink of water yonder I did.' I looked at him
he was like a bear who has heard good news. ' I saw the woman
cooking,' he said, ' and Wilkins is not far off. Come on home.' I
understood without another word. The Doctor was coming back
for the warrants of arrest."
" Yes, yes ! " said Dr. Haworth with a flush on his face.
" There was no trouble at all about it. We went straight to the
Sheriff at Abbeyville, who summoned Briggs and directed him to
produce the warrants you got from Prof. Lesner. He could not
find them they had been intrusted to his deputy who was absent,
he said ; but new warrants were at once made out by another mag-
istrate, and Briggs was obliged to go and serve them, whether he
liked the business or not."
" And! "
r " We all rode together Dr. Seabright, the constable and my-
self and took Wilkins and his wife by surprise. There was noth-
ing for them to do but to come with us, and they are now in jail,
Excellency." f
Dr. Haworth listened with an expression of the deepest satisfac-
tion.
" You are an invaluable ally, Jean ! " he exclaimed, " and worth
more than all of us. The arrest of these people was a vital neces-
sity. They were either the murderers or the murderer's accom-
plices. A thorough examination of them must result in a discovery
of the real criminal, whoever he is. If one turns State's evidence
the case is ended."
" I knew that so I meant to find them."
156 THE BOMBSHELL.
Dr. Haworth grasped the boy's hand and said :
" If you had been my son you could not have done more for me."
" You koow that all I can do to serve your Excellency seems
little to me," Jean said, simply.
" I know your devotion to me I swear I will prove mine to
you," said Dr. Haworth.
" So the man and woman are in the Abbeyville Jail ? "
" I never left them till I heard the bolts shut on them."
Dr. Haworth drew a long breath, and muttered :
" Something tangible at last ! "
He then looked intently at Jean.
" You are tired," he said. " Go home and rest now. You have
rendered me an invaluable service, Jean. I repeat that I will not
forget it."
He then walked back to the house, and Jean returning on horse-
back by the front entrance rode to the stables in rear. He had been
absent for three days, but as he frequently rode on business for his
master his absence had attracted no attention.
VII.
THE BOMBSHELL.
THE arrest of Job Wilkins and his wife created a great sensa-
tion in Abbeyville. The little town was in commotion, and a thou-
sand surmises were indulged in. The details were not yet known,
but it was said that they had been arrested on the charge of com-
plicity in the murder of Mr. James Maurice of Mauricewood,
twenty years before. When the magistrate of the town, who had
issued the warrants, examined and committed them, this rumor
took definite shape.
Then animated discussion ensued. There are always people to
advocate both sides of a question, for the sake of argument. If
there is no difference of opinion talk loses its savor. What is
wanted is controversy, which affords an opportunity for intellectual
gymnastics.
Had not Mr. James Maurice been murdered by Mr. Henry
Ducis ? A jury, after hearing all the evidence, had so declared.
Mr. Ducis had been a gentleman of the highest character and
THE BOMBSHELL.
157
could never have murdered anybody ? Well, men of high charac-
ter had been known to kill their fellow-creatures, and the jury had
said that Mr. Ducis killed Mr. Maurice.
Then there was the question whether the arrest of Mr. and Mrs.
Wilkins was not illegal. Had they not been tried once for the
same offense and discharged? They had not been tried? Well,
they had been examined and committed for trial, at least, and that
was the next thing to being indicted. And, moreover, the present
arrest was a hardship. There was a thing called the statute of limi-
tations which barred the recovery of money after the lapse of a cer-
tain time. The theory was that the claim could not be disproved
in all cases. Why not apply that to so serious a question as a
man's life ?
There was a great deal of excitement and discussion in the bor-
ough, and then another vague report began to creep about how,
no one could tell. Another person, much higher in the social scale
than Wilkins and his wife, was said to be mixed up with this mys-
terious affair. It was not known who he was but he was a citizen
of the county. Beyond this there was not even a rumor but the
nameless person was the topic of conversation everywhere under the
convenient designation of Mr. Whoever He Is.
The County Court was to meet in about ten days, when Wilkins
and his wife were to be indicted and tried for complicity in the
Mauricewood murder. Dr. Haworth had formally identified himself
with the case as the informant. Having been closeted for three
hours with the attorney for the Commonwealth, he came out,
mounted his horse, and rode back to Mauricewood, where he re-
mained quietly waiting.
What Dr. Haworth was probably waiting for was the next move
of his real adversary. It was impossible that Col. Ross had re-
mained ignorant of the arrest of Wilkins and the woman, since it
had been announced in the " Abbeyville Gazette." At the end of
the paragraph recording the arrest the editor had added :
" There was a report yesterday that other persons will be ar-
rested as accomplices in the murder of Mr. James Maurice. Among
them there is said to be a prominent citizen of this county, though
no person to whom we have applied for information can even sug-
gest his name. The matter is mentioned only as a rumor, and for
no more than it is worth."
So mysterious an intimation necessarily excited curiosity, and
158 THE BOMBSHELL.
when the curiosity of a community is aroused it is apt to be soon
gratified. If not legitimately, then illegitimately. The name of
some one will be found to fill the hiatus in the record the aching
void which tortures. It was therefore probable that the name of
Col. Ross would sooner or later be uttered by somebody that he
would be driven to bay. Then he would strike and strike heavily, if
he could perhaps he would strike in advance. Dr. Haworth said
this to himself, and the event proved that he had accurately esti-
mated his dangerous adversary.
Suddenly a bombshell exploded at Mauricewood.
One evening the family were assembled in the drawing-room,
and Dr. Haworth and Mr. Tim Maurice were engaged in a game
of chess. Miss Gary and her mother were seated in front of a cheer-
ful blaze, as the nights were growing a little cool the young lady
crocheting and Mrs. Maurice tranquilly knitting and smiling sweet-
ly, as was her habit. It was difficult to say which, of these two
charming persons was the more attractive the girl just budding
into womanhood with her rosy cheeks and artless lips, or the still
beautiful mother, a little pale, but smiling with her air of exquisite
sweetness and tranquillity.
All were thus engaged when a servant brought in the mail-bag.
The trains had become tardy of late, and Mr. Tim Maurice often
maligned the railroad and threatened to denounce it in the " Abbey-
ville Gazette."
" Well, here is the mail at last," he exclaimed, " and we can
finish our game, Doctor, after looking at it."
He took the bag and emptied it on the table. It contained a
magazine, two or three newspapers and a single letter for Mrs.
Maurice.
" For you, my dear," said Uncle Tim, looking at it. " I think I
recognize Col. Ross* hand."
He gave her the letter, and she took it, saying as she opened it :
" A letter from Col. Ross to me ? "
" It certainly is not to me, as my name is Timothy and not
Ellen," said Uncle Tim, " and now, Doctor, as the papers can wait,
suppose we finish our game I am going to check-mate you."
Mrs Maurice had in the meanwhile opened the letter and was
reading it.
" What on earth has he to say, mamma ? " said Miss Gary, laugh-
ing quietly.
THE BOMBSHELL.
159
Mrs. Maurice did not reply. Her face had suddenly changed
color.
" Mamma ! you are not well ! What is the matter ? "
" I I a slight giddiness," said Mrs. Maurice, rising. " I will
soon recover from it. A glass of water "
" Let me get it, mamma ! " Gary said, rising quickly.
" It is not necessary," said Mrs. Maurice quietly. " Keep your
seat, my dear. My giddiness is over already. This note is on a
matter of business which I will tell you of I will go up-stairs and
lie down for a few minutes."
" Let me come with you, mamma ! "
" No, dear I will be back in a few moments."
Gary and the gentlemen looked at the speaker inquiringly, but
her face was quite tranquil now and the smile had returned to it.
" Keep your seat, dear," she said to Gary. " I will soon return."
She then went up-stairs to her chamber. A cheerful fire was
burning on the brass andirons, sending flashes through the lace
window curtains and lighting up the portrait of Mr. John Maurice.
Gary's bed was near her mother's, and as it was lower than her own
Mrs. Maurice lay down upon it, covering her face and trembling
slightly.
She then rose, lit the candle in the silver candlestick on the
small center-table, and seating herself in an arm-chair, finished the
perusal of her letter.
The letter was from Col. Ross, and in the following words :
"WASHINGTON, November 20, 1880.
" My dear Mrs. Maurice :
" There are some duties so painful that we are apt to wonder
why an evil fate should impose them upon us. Something has re-
cently come to my knowledge which has occasioned me the utmost
concern, and I find myself under the distressing necessity of com-
municating it to you. Believe me I do so with the very greatest
reluctance. I shrink from writing what I am about to write, but I
am very sincerely your friend under all circumstances, and it is ab-
solutely necessary that you should be notified of a matter of painful
personal interest to yourself and your family.
" You will perceive that I approach the subject with reluctance.
I am aware how much pain you will feel. I wish some one else
had the duty imposed upon him of informing you. It is imposed
on me by the circumstances, and I am obliged to tell you with the
160 THE BOMBSHELL.
sincerest regret that your marriage to your late husband, Mr. John
Maurice, took place before the death of his first wife in South
America.
" This distressing fact only recently came to my knowledge, and
I at once resolved to return home and communicate everything to
you in a private interview. I am, however, detained here for a few
days longer as a witness before the Foreign Committee, and am
compelled to write. The circumstance alluded to was discovered
by a commissioner at Lima who has been engaged in auditing the
accounts of the Peruvian Guano and Nitrate Association. It ap-
pears that Mr. John Maurice during his residence at Lima pur-
chased an interest in the nitrate stock, and upon his marriage with
a French lady settled the stock upon her as her separate property.
As no claimant for the stock or dividends had appeared for many
years, the commissioner, it seems, investigated the matter, and found
that Mrs. Maurice had died a few months after her marriage. The
date of her death was ascertained from the mortuary register in the
Desemparados Church and Parish, and is given in the report as
October 10, 1860. As your own marriage, I believe, took place in
May of the same year, the painful question arises whether or not it
was valid.
" Do not, I beg, understand me to intimate for a single moment
that Mr. John Maurice was aware that his first wife was living at
the date of his second marriage. I am satisfied that he was not.
There had been a misunderstanding between them, I believe, and
they had separated. He returned to the United States, and must
have been convinced of her death, on what grounds I am unable to
state, but I am sure that he was convinced of it.
" I have to add, my dear Mrs. Maurice, the disheartening cir-
cumstance that the fact I have stated is included in the commission-
er's public report now before the Foreign Committee. I can only
say, as a personal friend, that I am by no means certain that the
date is correctly stated. I sincerely trust that it is an error that
the first Mrs. Maurice died in October preceding not following your
own marriage. The question is very painful, since if the commis-
sioner is correct you were never married to Mr. Maurice.
" I terminate this long letter by saying that on seeing the com-
missioner's report I promptly telegraphed to Lima to test the accu-
racy of the date by an examination of the mortuary register. As
my telegram was sent two or three weeks since I expect to receive
MR. TIM MAURICE IS OUTRAGED, BUT RESIGNED. 161
the necessary documents at any moment by mail. The reply to my
cable telegram was undecipherable.
" I shall return home in a few days, and as soon as I arrive shall
do myself the honor of calling upon you, and trust it will then be
in my power to furnish you with conclusive documentary proof that
the first Mrs. Maurice died before your marriage.
" With high respect,
" Your faithful servant,
" FERDINAND Ross."
Mrs. Maurice read this letter carefully through with a heaving
bosom.
When she had finished reading it she rested her forehead on her
hand, and a tear rolled down her cheek.
" It is a falsehood ! " she said, in a stifled voice. " That man
has invented it ! "
She looked at the letter once more. The italicised line caught
her eye " before the death of his first wife in South Amer-
ica."
" It is false ! false ! " she exclaimed, raising her head with a
quick flash of the eye.
Then she looked up at the portrait of her husband, which was
smiling at her, and said, sobbing :
" I know it is false, John ! "
VIII.
MR. TIM MAURICE IS OUTRAGED, BUT RESIGNED.
MR. TiMOTHtf MAURICE was walking up and down the ve-
randa on the morning after the reception of Col. Ross' letter the
victim of curiosity and apparently, also, of jealousy.
For the first time his niece, Mrs. Maurice, was concealing some-
thing from him. and what made the fact more aggravating was at
that very moment in private conversation with another person.
This person was Dr. Haworth. Mrs. Maurice had made her
appearance at breakfast with a composed if not serene expression
of countenance, and had not referred to the letter. Nothing, there-
fore, was said in regard to it by any member of the little circle, since
iMAVRICE 7S OUTRAGED,
all understood that the gentle and dignified lady had her own rea-
sons for not discussing it at the time.
Uncle Tim had waited and deferred his ride to be informed on
the subject. Mrs. Maurice had not, however, signified any desire
to have a private interview with him on the contrary she had
quietly requested Dr. Haworth to come into the drawing-room for
a moment.
He had followed her thither and the door had closed on them in
the very face of Mr. Tim Maurice. What did it mean ?
The worthy Mr. Maurice was very far from being a jealous or
suspicious individual, but then some things will mortify the best of
us. He was extremely fond of Dr. Haworth and adored his niece
but why had not he been consulted instead of the Doctor, who
was nearly a stranger !
He could catch glimpses of them through the window in earnest
conversation. The matter was evidently important. What could
it be?
It had been quite plain to Mr. Tim Maurice for some time that
his niece and Dr. Haworth " understood each other." Something
had probably passed between them on the day following Gary's fall
from horseback, involving more than the simple demand of the young
lady's hand in marriage. This something was unknown to the male
head of the household, but it had plainly established confidential re-
lations between the lady and their guest.
Was the present business connected with that, and was Mrs.
Maurice consulting Dr. Haworth in reference to the letter from Col.
Ross ?
Having scowled with the air of a conspirator at this unheard of
preference of a stranger's advice, Uncle Tim burst out laughing,
mounted his horse, and went to take his morning ride.
When he came back he found Dr. Haworth seated on the ve-
randa, as the day was pleasant, reading the " Psychology of Opium."
He sat down opposite with a cheery smile on his face and said :
" Well, what were you and the madam consulting about, Doc-
tor?"
" About the letter received last night. Mrs. Maurice will inform
you of its contents herself," said Dr. Haworth.
" Hum ! She tells you about it first, and I have been bitterly
jealous all the morning. Nothing disagreeable, I hope."
" I hope not," said Dr. Haworth, in a matter-of-fact manner.
MR. TIM MAURICE IS OUTRAGED, BUT ASSIGNED. 163
" Something about Gary, I suppose. He had belter give up that
matter, don't you think so, Doctor ? "
And Uncle Tim laughed in a significant manner.
"He is distanced in the race!" he added, "and I don't mind
saying I am glad of it. The Colonel is a gentleman, of course, as
his father was before him, but his manners are well, too -var-
nished"
" He is a man of the world, no doubt."
" I have known many, and the best company 13 not varnished, as
I call it ; it is simple and natural. I know a gentleman when I see
him. His origin is not so important. To be a gentleman is the
main thing. The stupid pretense of this age is that the sneak and
the hero are alike one as good as the other, and, faith ! a great deal
better ! "
Having thus unburdened his mind, Uncle Tim said :
" You were reading that curious book, I see."
"Yes."
'"Do you like it?"
" I cannot say that I fancy it much. The author is a gross ma-
terialist, and yet he professes to have a religion."
" What is it ? I have only read a few pages."
" He calls it The Religion of Humanity."
" A handsome phrase, at least. What does it mean ? "
" It means anything you choose. What it docs not mean is
faith, as you and I understand the term. Hatred of Christianity
is about the sum of it, but as the writer thinks by the aid of opium,
his ideas are a little mystified. It is rather an unpleasant book, but
may convey an unjust impression of the real character of the writer."
Dr. Haworth laid the " Psychology of Opium " on the seat beside
him and rose.
" I am going to Abbeyville for an hour," he said. " I see my
horse is ready. I will return before dinner."
" Something more to be done in that affair ? "
" Nothing."
" No new developments ? "
" I believe not."
" And you still think you will be able to fix the guilt of my poor
brother's murder upon the man or woman ? "
" I think so."
Uncle Tim sighed.
1 64.
DR. ff A WORTH HEARS FROM COL. ROSS.
" We have said so much on the subject, Doctor, that it is useless
to say more. These people may or may not be guilty. But I sup-
pose you have heard the rumor. It is said now that some other per-
son was concerned in the affair a man of prominence. Who on
earth can be meant ? "
" I will answer that question, my dear Mr. Maurice, on my return
from Abbeyville, where I think I will find a letter," said Dr. Ha-
worth.
IX.
DR. HAWORTH HEARS FROM COL. ROSS.
WHEN Dr. Haworth said that he expected to find a letter await-
ing him at Abbeyville, he meant a letter from Col. Ross.
He had no difficulty whatever in reading between the lines of
Col. Ross' letter to Mrs. Maurice. What it meant was simply this :
" I am about to be prosecuted as principal or accomplice in the
murder of James Maurice. If the prosecution is not arrested, I will
proclaim to the world that you were never married to John Maurice,
since he had a wife at the time in South America. You were not,
therefore, his wife, and your daughter is not his lawful offspring. If
the prosecution is promptly stopped evidence will be produced to
show that John Maurice's first wife died before your marriage. If
it is not stopped the evidence will show that she died after your
marriage. Choose ! "
This had been quite plain to Dr. Haworth when he had read
the letter. Mrs. Maurice had laid it before him in the drawing-room
and said : " What shall I do ? It is a falsehood and a gross out-
rage." And Dr. Haworth had simply said at the end of the inter-
view, " Let us wait."
Whether Col. Ross had or had not ulterior views involving a
more daring scheme would soon be known. Meanwhile, as it must
now be obvious that he, Dr. Haworth, was the mainspring of all, it
was nearly certain that Col. Ross would open a correspondence also
with him.
He was not at all mistaken. There was a letter for him at the
Abbeyville office. He put it in his pocket without opening it ;
stopped at the telegraph office and conversed in a friendly manner
with the young operator, inquiring if there was a dispatch from
DR. HA WORTH HEARS FROM COL. ROSS. ^5
Lima ; ascertained that there was none, and returned in the direc-
tion of Mauricewood.
On the way he opened the letter. It was from Col. Ross, as he
had seen from the direction, and contained these words, written in
the same bold hand as the letter to Mrs. Maurice :
WASHINGTON, November 21, 1880.
GEN. HAWORTH SIR : I am informed that an outrageous im-
putation has been made upon my character, namely, that I was cog-
nizant of the intent to murder Mr. James' Maurice, of Mauricewood,
and that you are the author of this gross charge. The object of this
communication is to notify you that I shall hold you personally re-
sponsible. I shall return immediately to meet this secret attempt of
a personal enemy to destroy my character. I confess myself igno-
rant what object you have in view, and what motive pronspts you.
That is your affair, sir. You have presumed to circulate or author-
ize the circulation of these monstrous imputations on my good name,
and I know in what manner to seek for redress.
Your obedient servant,
FERDINAND Ross.
Having read this letter, Dr. Haworth folded it up, put it in his
pocket and rode on slowly, with a grim smile on his lips.
" A cool hand," he muttered, "and the master of a flowing style.
The only trouble is he is a knave ; he may have been a gentleman
once, but that was some time ago. Well, I am glad he is going to
make fight. It suits me a great deal better than to have him ab-
scond, which would be unfortunate."
For more than a quarter of an hour Dr. Haworth rode on slowly
in deep reflection. Then he said :
" I wonder if he is really daring enough for that? to demand
Cary as the price of his silence, as well as the suppression of the
prosecution. If he tries that well, I should lose my patience, I
think ! I wonder if he has the nerve ? "
Three days afterward this question was answered. The " Abbey-
ville Gazette " of that morning contained the following item of per-
sonal intelligence :
" Our popular countyman, Col. Ross, returned last night from
Washington. He has been absent some time as a witness before
a committee to examine Peruvian claims."
1 66 COL. ROSS VISITS MRS. MAURICE.
Mr. Tim Maurice had noticed this item, and looked around for
some member of the family to communicate it to but none were to
be seen. Mrs. Maurice and Gary were up-stairs, and Dr. Haworth
had ridden out. Therefore Mr. Tim Maurice put the paper in his
pocket, mounted his horse, and went to make his tour of inspection
on the estate.
X.
COL. ROSS VISITS MRS. MAURICE.
MRS. MAURICE was in her chamber with Gary, who was read-
ing to her, when a maid servant came and informed her that Col.
Ross was in the drawing-room.
At this information Mrs. Maurice betrayed a little agitation, and
said to the maid :
" Say that I will be down in a moment."
" What does he want, mamma ? " said Gary, looking at her
mother and feeling vaguely that something more than a morning call
was meant by Col. Ross' visit."
" He wishes to see me on business," replied Mrs. Maurice, with
a slight tremor in her voice. " It will not take very long, my dear."
" Let me go down with you, mamma ? "
But Mrs. Maurice shook her head.
"That would not be proper," she said. "Col. Ross has not
asked for you. I had rather you would remain here."
Mrs. Maurice was an exceedingly gentle person, but when she
spoke in a certain tone the members of her family never replied.
Gary resumed her seat, wondering what Col. Ross' letter and visit
meant ; and Mrs. Maurice, glancing in the mirror to assure herself
that her toilet was proper for the reception of a visitor, went down-
stairs.
Col. Ross was seated in the drawing-room. At her entrance he
rose and bowed with an air of the deepest respect his face was a
little flushed. Mrs. Maurice, slightly inclining her head, sat down
opposite to him. She was somewhat pale, but otherwise exhibited
no emotion.
" You received my letter, I trust, madam ? " said Col. Ross, re-
suming his seat and speaking with some emotion.
" Yes, sir," was the reply of Mrs. Maurice in a low voice.
COL. ROSS VISITS MRS. MAURICE. 167
" It was exceedingly painful to me to be obliged to write it. The
intelligence conveyed in it was a complete surprise to me. I had
never imagined such a thing before looking at the commissioner's
report."
Mrs. Maurice made no reply. She was leaning back in her arm-
chair, with her head bent forward a little and looking at him.
" I knew Mr. John Maurice in South America, as you are proba-
bly aware, madam," continued Col. Ross in the same tone of re-
spect.
" I was aware of it, sir," said Mrs. Maurice.
" I also knew, of course, that he had married in Lima, but under-
stood that his wife had died soon after his return to the United
States. It was only the other day that the painful fact came to my
knowledge that this was altogether a mistake ; that the lady was
still living when it is really too painful for me to finish my sentence,
madam."
"When we were married, you mean, sir? " Mrs. Maurice spoke
in a very low tone.
" Unfortunately, the commissioner's report seems to establish
that fact, madam. I am afraid there is no ground to discredit it.
The official who prepared it had, of course, no object in falsifying
the statement. His authority was the mortuary register of the
church parish in which Mrs. Maurice died."
" At Lima, sir ? " murmured Mrs. Maurice.
" Yes, madam. Mr. Maurice met his wife there, and they con-
tinued to live in the city after his marriage. I can state this of my
personal knowledge, though I am sorry to say I had but a limited
intercourse with him. I was an officer of the navy, and my ship
was stationed at Callao ; and another circumstance was an obstacle
to our familiar intercourse."
" Another circumstance, sir ? "
" I am sony to say that Mr. Maurice and myself had become un-
friendly. A very few words will explain the origin of this interrup-
tion of our friendly relations. Mrs. Maurice was a young lady of
the opera a troupe had visited Lima and was much admired.
After her marriage with Mr. Maurice he objected to the attentions
still paid to her by some of her old friends, myself among the rest
attentions perfectly respectful on my part and I regret to say I
had a personal rencounter with him. He may have mentioned it to
you."
COL. ROSS VISITS MRS. MAURICE.
" Yes, sir."
" I trust his statement and my own on the subject do not con-
flict. I have endeavored to make my own strictly accurate. As my
ship was sent on a cruise I remained ignorant of his subsequent
movements. When I came back I heard that he had returned to
the United States."
Col. Ross looked respectfully and with some feeling at Mrs.
Maurice.
" This is absolutely all I knew, madam, until the other day," he
continued. " I was at home, you may probably remember, just
before his marriage to yourself I was absent, however, at the pre-
cise time, as I was forced to join my ship and it certainly never
entered my head that the first Mrs. Maurice was living. She could
not be divorced, with her own consent, at least, as she was a Ro-
man Catholic ; and I of course adopted the natural supposition that
she was dead."
" Yes, sir," said Mrs. Maurice in a very low voice.
" As soon as I made the painful discovery mentioned in my let-
ter, madam, I telegraphed to Lima. I was utterly incredulous. I
was quite certain that it was a mere clerical error the mistake of a
copyist. Mr. John Maurice I knew was a man of honor ; if he paid
you his addresses it was because he had proof, I said to myself, that
his first wife was dead. Unhappily he was mistaken, madam fa-
tally deceived in some manner. She was living."
" Living ! " repeated Mrs. Maurice, not asking the question by
the tone of her voice, but uttering the fearful word as if uncon-
sciously.
" Unhappily I have proof that the first Mrs. Maurice was living
at Lima after the month of May, 1860, when your marriage to Mr.
John Maurice took place in this house."
Mrs. Maurice drew a long breath, and her bosom heaved.
" Proof ? " she said.
" I will explain everything, my dear Mrs. Maurice," said Col.
Ross, bending forward and speaking in a tone of some emotion.
" The statement in the commissioner's report amounts to nothing
it will pass as a clerical error. The important, the fatal proof, is
the mortuary register."
" Yes."
" I see you are somewhat agitated. I beg you will dismiss any
apprehension," said Col. Ross. " I alone know of this, for I repeat
COL. ROSS VISITS MRS. MAURICE. 169
that the official report is nothing. A stroke of the pen will correct
ii s a clerical error in the printed copies it will pass as a mere
misprint. That is absolutely the only means; it is a little irregular,
but I promise you that I will see that it is done."
Mrs. Maurice betrayed slight agitation, but made no reply.
" The report of the commissioner is not the important point
the official record at Lima from which it was taken was the vital
matter. Right or wrong, I directed my agent there to obtain pos-
session of the paper at any risk or expense, and to promptly trans-
mit it to me. He obeyed my order, and on the pretext of examining
the church register cut out the leaf containing the record of the first
Mrs. Maurice's death. I deeply regret to say that the record sup-
ports the commissioner's statement. Mrs. Antoinette Maurice died
at Lima in the month of October succeeding your marriage with
her husband. The entry was the proof of the fact. Here is the
leaf."
Col. Ross then took from the breast pocket of his coat a faded
sheet of paper, yellow at the edges except upon the left side, where
an uneven edge proved that it had been hastily cut.
" This is the proof," he said ; " the only proof in existence that
you were not the lawful wife of John Maurice and your daughter
his lawful daughter."
Mrs. Maurice extended her hand to take the paper and examine
it. But Col. Ross did not seem to observe the gesture. She looked
at him and withdrew her hand, but said nothing.
" I am a very unhappy man, madam ! " exclaimed Col. Ross in
his deep voice. " I loved a young lady who was beginning to have
some regard for me in her turn. I was dreaming of a long life of
happiness with her, when an unknown stranger, a person she does
not know, put a sudden end to all my hopes ! The young lady re-
jected my suit, and is reported to encourage his ; and not content
with his triumph over me, this same unknown stranger has set on
foot a criminal prosecution to destroy me. You are aware whom I
refer to, madam, to this General or Dr. Haworth a man of doubt-
ful antecedents, of whom no one knows anything with certainty
and you may have been informed of his last outrage. He has not
only supplanted me with Miss Maurice he has circulated the vile
slander that I was cognizant of the design to murder your fa-
ther!"
Col. Ross spoke in a deep, even hoarse, tone. He seemed to
COL. ROSS VISITS MRS. MAURICE.
become aware of the fact and made an effort to soften his voice,
but without effect.
" I am to be crushed, you see, madam I who have wronged no
one ! Well, I will not be crushed ! I am innocent as the babe un-
born of this vile charge, and repel it with indignation. I have come
this morning to say this, among other things, though I hope it is
unnecessary. The real object of my visit, I need not say, was to
bring you the leaf from the mortuary register."
His eyes were fixed upon the lady with an intense expression
now.
" Need I say that I came to deliver into your hands this sole
proof that you were not the wife of your husband ? " he said.
" That was my object."
Mrs. Maurice looked up.
" It is yours at the moment when it is destroyed there will no
longer be the least proof that you were not the lawful wife of John
Maurice."
Mrs. Maurice made the least possible movement with her head.
" There is the fire. You have only to reach out your hand and
you will still be Mrs. John Maurice, of Mauricewood, your daughter
the heiress of the Maurice estate."
Mrs. Maurice raised her hand as if she were about to take the
paper.
" I attach only one condition it is not so much since I save the
honor of your family."
" One condition ? "
" That the outrageous imputations upon my character will be
puhlicly disclaimed by the Maurice family that the person calling
himself Dr. Haworth shall be requested to terminate his visit to this
house, and that shall I end, madam ? "
"Yes."
" That Miss Maurice will permit me to resume my visits to
Mauricewood."
Mrs. Maurice shrunk back in her chair.
" The price of your silence then is Gary's hand ? "
Col. Ross leaned forward with a glow on his face.
" Pardon my presumption," he exclaimed. " I knew that a per-
son of your exquisite refinement would shrink from my proposition.
But I have made it in spite of myself, madam ! I love Miss Maurice
with all the strength of my being. You may say I am bargaining
COL. ROSS VISITS MRS. MA URICE,
171
for her hand I am not. I am simply begging the poor boon of
not seeing it wrested away from me ! I might have come to you
like a highwayman, if I had been a person of that character, and
said to you : ' You were never the lawful wife of your husband
your daughter was not born in wedlock give me her hand here
is the only proof of your misfortune if you consent, take it and de-
stroy it ! ' I have not meant to say that, madam. I am not bar-
gaining with you I am only pleading ! What I say is, ' Give me
the simple hope that I may some day obtain your daughter's hand.'
As to this paper there is the fire burn it ! "
He placed the paper on the table.
" Only a word, madam ! It is not even a condition ! There is
the paper it is yours ! "
Mrs. Maurice made no reply, and did not offer to take the paper.
" Only a word one word that this prosecution shall be stopped,
and the author of it informed that his presence in your house is no
longer agreeable to you."
Col. Ross spoke in a voice full of emotion, which probably ac-
counted for the fact that the sound of footsteps on the veranda did
not attract his attention.
Mrs. Maurice turned her head. He followed the direction of her
eyes and at last distinguished the steps. The door of the drawing-
room then opened, and Dr. Haworth came in.
PART IV.
THE CRIMINAL TRIAL AT ABBEYVILLE.
THE PAPERS FROM LIMA.
AT the appearance of Dr. Haworth, Col. Ross wheeled and con-
fronted him. His expression was what is called black and his eyes
flashed.
" I have the pleasure of meeting ^w/, sir, at last ! " he exclaimed.
" Yes," said Dr. Haworth, looking grimly at the speaker. " You
will judge for yourself whether it is a pleasure or not."
" I returned from Washington with that object ! "
" Well, you have accomplished it."
Dr. Haworth had been looking around him. He was appar-
ently searching for something. He saw the paper upon the table.
" Col. Ross has no doubt called on business, madam," he said to
Mrs. Maurice. " In the absence of your uncle, may I ask as a
friend what the business is ? Is it connected with this paper ? "
He went to the table and took up the sheet from the register.
Col. Ross made a movement to prevent him, but he had the pa-
per in his hand.
" That is a matter of private business between Mrs. Maurice and
myself ! You have no concern with it whatever, sir ! " he cried.
" I venture to concern myself with it, unless Mrs. Maurice objects
to my doing so," replied Dr. Haworth.
" I do not object at all," said Mrs. Maurice.
Col. Ross measured his adversary from head to foot, and seemed
about to attempt to tear the paper from his hand. The prospect of
success did not seem encouraging, and turning suddenly to Mrs.
Maurice, he said :
THE PAPERS FROM LIMA.
173
" Is it possible, madam, that you will permit a stranger, a per-
son unknown to you, to meddle with your family affairs ? "
" Dr. Haworth is a friend he is not a stranger," said Mrs.
Maurice.
" He is my personal enemy an intruder on this interview ! I
demand possession of that paper, sir ! "
" And I refuse to put you in possession of it ! " said Dr. Ha-
worth, placing the hand holding the paper behind his back and con-
fronting Col. Ross.
For a moment the two men stood facing each other, one flush-
ing with suppressed rage, the other cold and collected. Col. Ross
then said :
" So be it, sir ! Since I am to choose between a disgraceful
scene in the presence of a lady, or submission to your insolence, I
make my choice. Read the paper ! You may then understand
why I objected to your doing so without Mrs. Maurice's permis-
sion."
" It is not necessary to read it I know its contents," said Dr.
Haworth. " It is the leaf of the register at Lima containing the
entry of the death of Mrs. John Maurice."
" Yes ! "
" My agent reported to me that it had been abstracted from
the register. That circumstance is now accounted for."
" Well ! Say that it was abstracted ! Say that I am responsi-
ble for that trifling offense. If you are aware of the contents of
that paper without reading it, as you say you are, you are probably
aware also of my object in securing possession of it."
" I think I am," said Dr. Haworth.
" The honor of the Maurice family was involved of this lady
and her daughter ! As long as that paper was in existence you
know the consequence, sir. You profess to be a friend of this fam-
ily a friend of somewhat recent date ! If you are really such, you
will understand why, as a real friend and an old one not one of
yesterday I ventured on a step for which I am liable to a heavy
penalty, to save the honor of the Mauricewood household ! "
Dr. Haworth had not paid much attention to these passionate
words. He was looking at the paper.
" Let us leave this general discussion, sir," he said, " and come
to business. This is the leaf from the Desemparados death regis-
ter, I see. Here is the record of the death of Marie Antoinette
174 TnE PAPERS FROM LIMA.
Maurice, wife of Senor John Maurice, citizen of the United States,
and attache of the North American Legation, formerly residing at
Lima. The date is October 10, 1860."
Dr. Haworth held up the paper between himself and the window.
" Mrs. Maurice did not die in the year 1860," he said.
" Do you mean, sir ? "
"That the date has been altered? Yes, and in a h angling
manner. You may see for yourself, madam," he said, turning to
Mrs. Maurice and holding the paper up before her. " An erasure
is always dangerous. It produces unevenness in the thickness of
the paper, and the result is greater transparency. It is easy to see
that this document has been improved, let us say. The actual
date of Mrs. Maurice's death was October, 1859, and not 1860. As
you were married in May, 1860, I need not call your attention to
the importance of the difference."
Mrs. Maurice had taken the paper and was looking at it against
the light.
" The date has certainly been changed ! " she said.
" Beyond any doubt."
Col. Ross had been standing still. As he spoke now the into-
nation of his voice indicated that his teeth were set together.
" Am I to ^understand," he said to Dr. Haworth, " that you
charge me with forger}- with falsifying that register ? "
" It is falsified, and in your possession."
" Sir ! this outrage ! There are limits ! "
" Registers have been falsified in other instances the cir-
cumstance occurs. The entry in another caused the conviction of
Mr. Henry Ducis for the murder of Mr. James Maurice."
Col. Ross had blushed with rage ; at these words his face grew
a little white.
" The fate of Mr. Ducis hinged upon the proof of an alibi,"
said Dr. Haworth, " and that depended upon the entry tn a ledger.
Well, the entry was improved, as this one has been ; that is no se-
cret to you, sir. Remember, we spoke of it one day. The ques-
tion then was a man's life ; at present it is the honor of a lady."
It was plain that Col. Ross required all his powers of self-con-
trol to reply.
" Yes, we spoke of that," he said with a suppressed fire in his
eyes,--" but it has nothing to do with this question. You are more
familiar, no doubt, with forgeries than I am. Say that this paper
THE PAPERS FROM LIMA.
175
has been falsified. Do you charge me with that ? It is a gross
calumny, for which I will compel you to give me personal satisfac-
tion. I have explained to Mrs. Maurice the manner in which this
paper came into my possession, and precisely as she now sees it. I
was actuated by friendship, the desire to protect her family herself
personally from a great misfortune. She had no knowledge when
she married her husband that he .was already married. She was in-
nocent she had a daughter it was to guard the good name of
mother and daughter that I sent to Lima for this record subjected
myself to prosecution. If the record is falsified, it was falsified by
others. "
" That is your explanation, then your entire explanation, sir."
" It is. I indignantly repel your gross insult you shall answer
for it ! "
" Well, one business at a time," said Dr. Haworth ; " we can
talk of that afterward. The question at present is more serious.
You have said so yourself it is the good name of a mother and her
daughter. Let us come, then, to the vital question. Mr. John
Maurice marries in South America, his wife dies, and he marries a
second time. The natural supposition is ^hat a man of honor like
Mr. Maurice would not have committed bigamy but twenty years
afterward, when he has been dead a long time, the question arises
whether he was not guilty of that. The decision depends upon a
burial register recording the date of the first wife's death. The
register is produced by a third person, and it establishes the charge
of bigamy. There is only one flaw, and that is serious the regis-
ter has been falsified. The obvious question is who falsified it ?
and the first step in the inquiry is to ascertain the motive of the
forger}-."
" Do you mean, sir ! " exclaimed Col. Ross with his head low-
ered and looking at the speaker sidewise.
" I will tell you what I mean if you will allow me to do so with-
out interruption. We have come to the production of the paper by
the third person, but there was also a fourth person. This fourth
person had his own reasons for ascertaining the real facts connected
with the first Mrs. Maurice. He accordingly wrote to Lima and as-
certained what he wished to know."
" You ascertained ! "
" I see you identify me with person number 4," said Dr. Ha-
worth ; " well, you are not wrong : I not only wrote, but growing a
176 THE PAPERS FROM LIMA.
little impatient communicated with Lima by cable. The reply of
my agent was that the papers had been sent."
" The papers, sir ! "
" Not by mail. The mails are unsafe. By private hand. A
friend visiting South America was about to return to the United
States. He was acquainted with my agent at Lima, and hearing
my name pronounced informed him that 1 was a friend of his.
The result was that the papers were entrusted to him for delivery
to me on his return. He has delivered them."
" The papers, sir ! " repeated Col. Ross.
" Here they are," said Dr. Haworth, taking some folded sheets
from his pocket. " This is the certificate of Fray Antonio Guarrez,
canon of the church of Desemparados, that Marie Antoinette Mau-
rice, wife of Senor John Maurice, was interred in his parish on Oc-
tober 10, 1859, as appeared from the mortuary register not then
abstracted. That may be called the ecclesiastical proof, here is the
civil the certificate of Alguazil Perez that the death of Marie
Antoinette Maurice was reported to him officially at the same date,
as appeared by the civil record."
Dr. Haworth presented the papers to Mrs. Maurice.
" These facts were known to me before the arrival of the papers,"
he said. " My agent telegraphed them in cipher. Accidents hap-
pen."
Col. Ross said nothing. His expression was that of an animal
driven to bay and dangerous.
" The whole matter is now perfectly plain, I suppose," said Dr.
Haworth. " That leaf from the register is of no importance what-
ever. It is not worth destroying. It was not abstracted in time,
and the change made in it was deferred too long. It is therefore
waste paper."
Col. Ross advanced a step and said in a cold and resolute
voice :
" Am I to understand, sir, that you formally charge me with the
forgery of that date ? "
" You acknowledge that you obtained it you or your agent
from the register."
" Answer my question, sir ? "
" Well, I think your agent was the actual forger in obedience
to an order or an intimation of your wishes in the matter. Since
you question me I reply."
THE PAPERS FROM LIMA.
177
" That is enough, sir," said Col. Ross, white with anger. " Will
a friend of mine find you here to-morrow ? "
" Here or at Abbeyville. But these personal matters must wait."
" They shall not wait ! I will send you a message here, or force
you to send me one at my house, where it will find me."
" A message will find you to-morrow at the jail in Abbeyville,"
said Dr. Haworth in his cold voice.
He went to the door and called a person standing on the veranda,
who came in.
" You will serve the v/arrant of arrest on Col. Ross for complic-
ity in the murder of Mr. James Maurice," he said to the constable.
" My arrest for murder ! " exclaimed Col. Ross with an out-
burst.
" You did not expect it so soon then," said Dr. Haworth. " You
must have heard from your confidential friends that I once before
procured a warrant for the same purpose from another magistrate."
The constable produced the warrant and said :
"Sorry, Colonel, but needs must."
Col. Ross, shaking with wrath, turned and fixed his eyes upon
Dr. Haworth.
" Well, sir, the matter is in shape now," he said. " This is war
to the knife and the knife to the hilt. I accept it look to your-
self ! "
Dr. Haworth inclined his head and said :
" I will do so."
And this was the end of the interview.
Col. Ross rode back to Abbeyville with the constable, and was
supplied with a comfortable apartment in the town jail to await his
examination the next morning.
The examination was prolonged and attracted a great crowd,
who evidently sympathized with the prisoner. But the testimony of
Jean Baptiste and others was serious. Col. Ross was refused bail
and committed for trial at the County Court, which would sit in a
few days.
He therefore returned to his apartment in jail, where he was
surrounded with every comfort, and was reported to view his ap-
proaching trial with disdainful composure.
OUTRAGED COMMUNITY.
II.
AN OUTRAGED COMMUNITY.
IF the arrest of the two obscure " hill people " surprised the in-
habitants of Abbeyville and the vicinity, the arrest of Col. Ross as-
tounded them.
He was one of the richest and most prominent gentlemen of the
county. His good name was unstained, and his friendly manners
had made him popular. If old people recalled that he had been a
wild youth, too fond of the tavern bar, the young generation knew
nothing of that and no one was disposed to regard it as the unpar-
donable sin. It was wrong to get tipsy, of course, but there were
some things that were even worse. There was hating your neigh-
bor or backbiting him being self-righteous and loving " filthy
lucre." Some people who went regularly to church and held up
their heads were often guilty of that ; and nothing pleased them
better than to point at the victim of drink and say : " I thank thee,
O Lord, I am not as that man."
But that was in the Colonel's youth; people who disliked him
had no longer the satisfaction of shaking their heads. His life was
irreproachable and who was this unknown man, this Dr. Haworth,
who had charged him with the worst offense known to the law ?
It was an outrage, and the magistrate who had refused him bail
and committed him to jail would probably be sent into retirement at
the next election.
Thus Abbeyville was outraged also the county of which it was
the cbunty seat. Crowds flocked to offer the expressions of their
sympathy. The fair sex manifested a desire to storm the prison
bounds and clasp the interesting accused to their bosoms. It was
said that a party had visited him, and that two of their number who
were young and pretty, had cheered his solitude with a kiss. His
photograph was in demand, and an enterprising artist having secured
one, made his profit from the circumstance. If he had chosen, Col.
Ross might have affixed his autograph to them and driven a brisk
trade with them. But that was unnecessary. He was a man of
wealth. What was better, he was eminently respectable. To charge
so rich and respectable a man with murder was an absurdity even
an outrage !
Meanwhile the unknown stranger, Dr. Haworth, who had aroused
AN OUTRAGED COMMUNITY.
179
all this storm, remained portentously quiet. He was even more
cheerful than he had been for a long time. Somebody with blue
eyes, who had remonstrated with him now and then in a low voice
for his moody silence, no longer had any occasion to do so. He
looked into the blue eyes under the brown bangs with a new expres-
sion of happiness ; and the eyes filled with happy light in response
to the light in his own.
An acute observer in fact, subjecting Dr. Haworth's face to
thoughtful inspection, would have said : " This man has succeeded
or is about to succeed in some darling object."
One morning Dr. Haworth said to Miss Gary Maurice :
" Would you like to take a ride on horseback to-day ? The
weather is really too superb to remain in the house."
" I should like it very much," said Gary, with a glance which
meant, " since I am to ride with you."
" I will order the horses, then," said Dr. Haworth.
And half an hour afterward they were riding through the splen-
did woods, in the direction of Prof. Lesner's. The road leading by
his house was winding and picturesque, and Miss Gary Maurice pre-
ferred it.
" We might call and inquire if the poor Professor is well," she
said, with a happy laugh.
And Dr. Haworth replied, looking at her with great tender-
ness :
" I meant to propose that. A friend is visiting the Professor
whom I promised to call and see."
" A friend of yours ? "
" Yes, and a very fine fellow, as you say in the South. He
brought some papers for me from Lima but that is not very in-
teresting."
" Who is he ? "
" You shall know him soon, as I am going to give him the pleas-
ure of making your acquaintance."
" Is he fond of you ? "
" It is possible I am fond of him."
" Then I shall like him," said Miss Gary, with a side glance and
a charming smile.
She raised a small ungloved hand as she spoke to push back her
brown hair ; and as the hand was not far from him her riding com-
panion took it and pressed it to his lips.
I g DR. fl A WORTHS FRIEND.
" I never thought I could love a woman as I love you," he saich
And Miss Gary, casting down her eyes, replied in a whisper :
" That makes me very happy."
III.
DR. HAWORTH'S FRIEND.
THEY had soon passed over the distance between Mauricewood
and Prof. Lesner's, and found themselves in front of the small home-
stead.
The place was much changed. The end of autumn had come
and the flowers had disappeared. The birds, also, which had made
the vicinity vocal with their gay carollings, were silent ; and there
was a general air of sadness and solitude about the attractive little
establishment.
Prof. Lesner was not visible in the grounds ; he was probably
afraid of the rheumatism. They would undoubtedly find him, how-
ever, in his study, and having assisted Miss Gary to dismount and
tethered the horses, Dr. Haworth walked up to the house.
He knocked, but no one replied, though voices were distinguished
in the library on the right.
" I am afraid the poor Professor is unwell, he is always so
prompt," said Gary, " but I think I hear some one. He is the friend
you spoke of, no doubt."
" No doubt, and he is probably conversing with his traveling
companion, a young lady."
" A young lady? "
" From South America."
You have not told me who they are ? "
" Well, you will know now. Here is my friend."
Steps were heard, the door opened, and Mr. Burdette, of New
York, made his appearance. He was the same jovial and attractive
personage, with his ruddy cheeks, his bright smile, his hair parted in
the middle and curling, and his eye-glasses secured by a guard to
his button-hole.
" Why, Haworth, old fellow," he cried, " I thought a good wind
would blow you in this direction to-day ! "
" Well, you see it has blown me "
DR. HA WORTHS FRIEND. igj
" For fear /would blow you up for not coming, mio amigo."
Mr. Burdette saw his friend's companion and made her a bow full
of grace and high breeding.
" Miss Maurice," said Dr. Haworth, " permit me to present my
friend Mr. Burdette."
Mr. Burdette and Miss Maurice exchanged friendly bows, and
then the former exclaimed, laughing :
" This is delightful ! I thought I was to sustain the infliction of
your society solus and lo ! you lift the weight from my mind."
" I am glad you are relieved," said Dr. Haworth the very sight
of his laughing friend seemed to put him in good humor.
" I am ! immensely ! And then my little friend, Miss Giorgione,
will be delighted. She's rather tired of me, I suppose, by this time."
" Miss Giorgione ? "
" Otherwise, Miss Carrie Fenton. She is a little lady from the
North who has been living with an aunt of hers in Lima. As I was
going down that way her friends asked me to escort her home. I
call her Giorgione from her splendid hair like the painter Gior-
gione's pictures, you know the real bronze gold Titianesque and
that sort of thing."
The gay voice of Mr. Burdette made the lonely house. a different
place.
" I shall be very glad, indeed, to become acquainted with Miss
Giorgione," said Gary, smiling, " but where is Prof, Lesner ? "
Mr. Burdette shook his head.
" He is quite unwell. I called by to see him, as he invited me
to spend a few days we have had some business relations. But I
find him confined to his chamber."
" Poor dear Prof. Lesner ! " said Gary. " I am so sorry."
" It quite changes my plans. My arrangements are all made to
spend a week here but I am detaining you, Miss Maurice. Allow
me the pleasure of presenting Miss Giorgione."
They went into the library, and were met by a very pretty young
girl of 1 8, with a bright face and superb hair of a rich-shaded gold.
She wore a fawn-colored traveling dress, which defined a slight and
graceful figure.
When Mr. Burdette presented his friend she came forward
quietly and held out her hand smiling. All were friends in a mo-
ment, and while Miss Gary and Miss Giorgione chatted in one cor-
ner Mr. Burdette and Dr. Haworth strolled out to the porch,
PR- HAWORTH S FRIEND,
" What is the matter with the Professor ? " said Dr. Ha-
worth.
Mr. Burdette shook his head as before. " The old business," he
said in a low voice. " The Mott street complaint."
" You have seen him ? "
" Yes, but he scarcely recognized me. He is in a sort of stupor.
I thought he had made up his mind to let that poison alone."
" I am afraid he is too much under its control. So you are dis-
appointed in your visit ? "
" It seems so. It won't do to stay nobody but an old negro
woman to do the honors of the establishment ! " laughed M". Bur-
dette.
Dr. Haworth was evidently disappointed at the idea of having his
friend depart so quickly.
" We will see about this," he said, " and I will send up my name
to the poor old fellow ; he may see me. Let me first thank you for
bringing these papers and delivering them as you got out of the
train. You are not aware what a service you have done me."
" Glad to hear it. Espartero said they were important, and he
didn't like to trust them to the mail. I made his acquaintance in
Lima, and incidentally mentioned that I knew you so he sent them
along by me."
" They came just in time. I will tell you about it when we have
more leisure."
Animated voices were heard in the library, and the voice of Miss
Gary cried :
" But I insist upon it."
" I should like it so much but you must ask Mr. Burdette ! "
replied the voice of Miss Giorgione.
" It is not necessary to ask him. The masculine sex were made
to submit to the weaker vessels," said Miss Gary. " You and he
positively shall come ! Dr. Haworth is a very dear friend ; and
his friends are ours."
" But"
" Poor Prof. Lesner is too unwell to make your visit agreeable
so you see now do ! "
Mr. Burdette, overhearing this colloquy, laughed.
" Your friend Miss Maurice is trying to persuade Miss Giorgione
to make her a visit," he said.
" Why not ? I thought of that. You would come ! "
DR. HAWORTH' S FRIEND.
183
" Come ? Why, certainly I would come. I am on the wing, and
ready to light anywhere."
" Light at Mauricewood, then Miss Maurice's mother's. It is a
pleasant perch,"
" With pleasure. Do you think they will take care of us for four
or five days ? "
" Not for any specified term that is not the fashion in the South.
The people are precise ; they insist upon their visitors remaining
indefinitely. The longer the better."
" Well, I believe that's the fact," said Mr. Burdette, in a jovial
manner. " I'll come but I positively must be in New York in one
week."
They went in. Miss Gary urged her invitation ; it was at length
cordially accepted, and the carriage was to be sent for them on the
same evening.
Dr. Haworth then summoned the old black servant woman and
sent her up to ask Prof* Lesner if he was able to see him.
In a few moments the old woman hobbled down stairs and
brought the reply that Prof. Lesner was so unwell that he could not
see his friends. He had the asthma, but would soon be better.
Company excited him, but he hoped Dr. Haworth would call again.
P'rom this it was plain at least that his asthma had not wholly
deprived him of his faculties, and musing sadly for a moment at the
melancholy weakness of the good old scholar, Dr. Haworth looked
at Miss Car>', who thereupon rose.
"You will come this evening!" she said, holding out her hand
and beaming on Miss Giorgione.
" But you have not told your mamma."
" Mamma is my subordinate I rule her with a rod of iron," said
Miss Gary.
" Then you are spoiled," laughed Miss Giorgione.
" I believe I am ! Everybody does spoil me."
She glanced sidewise at Dr. Haworth.
" But don't be afraid ! We'll all be delighted. You must cer-
tainly come, Mr. Burdette, and bring Giorgione ! "
Thereupon Miss Gary Maurice went through the formula which
is the feminine indication of mild regard she kissed Miss Giorgione.
Once in the saddle again and going at full speed through the
beautiful woods, Dr. Haworth said to his companion :
" Do you like my friends ? "
1 84 JEAN'S FRIEND.
" They are charming."
" Burdette is a fine fellow."
" And so is Giorgione ! What hair ! How I envy her."
" You need not," said Dr. Haworth.
And as Miss Gary's brown curls had fallen on her shoulders he
took one of them and touched it with his lips. It was the second
time on the ride that he had performed a romantic ceremony.
On the same afternoon the Mauricewood carriage was sent to
Prof. Lesner's, and returned with Mr. Burdette and Miss Giorgione.
IV.
JEAN'S FRIEND.
DR. HAWORTH had gone up-stairs to make his toilet for tea
when Jean came into the chamber with his face full of blushes.
Chancing to glance at him Dr. Haworth noticed the deep color in
his cheeks and said :
" What is the matter, Jean ? "
"The matter is, Excellency," stammered the boy, "that that
He stopped, attempting to laugh, but exhibiting the greatest con-
fusion.
" Tell me what you mean. Has anything disturbed you, Jean ? "
" Yes, Excellency."
"Speak plainly; tell me what it is."
" I never expected what could have brought her here the
young lady Miss Carrie Fenton ! "
" Do you know her ? "
" Know her ! She is the one the one I knew so well in Lima ! "
Dr. Haworth looked at Jean with surprise and then smiled.
" Well, that is curious indeed that you and she should be thrown
together in this manner ! I understand she is inamorata / Well,
you have an excellent opportunity to renew your suit."
Jean colored more than ever and then began to laugh.
" I'm afraid there's no hope. Excellency. She is prettier and
more mischievous than ever ! When she got out of the carriage I
could scarcely believe my eyes, I was up here looking out of the
window. How did she come to be here ? "
Dr. Haworth explained and then proceeded in a direct manner
A MAN OF BUSINESS RESTING. 185
to catechise Jean. He had known that the boy had suffered a love
disappointment at Lima. Now he asked all about it, and Jean with
some confusion and a good deal of laughter confessed everything.
He had made Miss Fenton's acquaintance at Lima, and became a
regular visitor at her aunt's, where she had lived for some years,
as her mother and father were both dead. The result had been the
common one when two impulsive young people of different sexes
meet as familiar friends. Miss Fenton and Mr. Baptiste, Gen. Ha-
worth's private secretary, had become more than friends the youth
had " told his love," and she had replied with a laugh that she was
too young, had insisted upon the same reply, and the youth finally
construing this into a polite form of the phrase, " No, I thank you,"
had gone off in despair to travel and forget his woes.
" Well, that is very simple," said Dr. Haworth, much interested
and amused. " It is a good omen that you should meet again in this
odd manner ; and I shall assist your suit in every manner possible,
as you have it so much at heart. Am I wrong ? "
" Very far from it, but " Jean stopped, blushing.
" You think Miss Fenton has finally made up her mind ? One is
never certain of that as to women, the philosophers say. You can
satisfy yourself at least, and I am glad a friend has arrived to induce
you to emerge from your room and mingle more with the household.
Your modesty is intense, Jean, but remember you owe it to Miss
Fenton to show your pleasure at seeing her again. After tea, there-
fore, you must not go up-stairs, but come into the drawing-room,
and do your part to make this pretty little South American at home.
Common courtesy requires that."
The boy laughed and blushed ; at the same moment the tea-bell
rang and Dr. Haworth said :
" Come, Jean ! "
V.
A MAN OF BUSINESS RESTING.
PRETTY Miss Giorgione and jovial Mr. Burdette were thus
domiciled for the time at Mauricewood.
It was a very great pleasure to two persons Dr. Haworth and
Jean. The first had many things to talk about with Mr. Burdette,
and Jean had even more to say to Miss Giorgione.
A MAX OF />Y r .sy.V/-:.V.7 RESTING.
She had met him, when he appeared at tea, with a stare of
astonishment. Then her face filled with laughter, and she held out
her hand, which Jean hastened to take. The broken intimacy of
Lima seemed to have been cemented in a moment ; and any one
glancing at the face of Miss Giorgione during Ler interview with
Jean would have said, " There is a little beauty who is shut up in a
quiet country house, and hails with delight the opportunity of teas-
ing an old lover for her amusement."
Every member of the Mauricewood family was charmed with the
gay traveler, Mr. Burdette. He was full of fun, and had the tact of
becoming quickly acquainted with people also that of making friends
of them. He adapted himself to his surroundings with the ease of
an old voyager, acting up to his favorite maxim " When you are in
Turkey do as the turkeys do, and if you are in Caracas do as the
Crackers do ! "
Mr. Tim Maurice was delighted and found only one fault with
him he was too easy to beat at chess. Otherwise he was an im-
mense acquisition, and host and guest had long and animated talks.
" You have a fine old place here," said Mr. Burdette, smoking
his mild cigar on the veranda with the assistance of a newspaper.
" This is the way to live."
" You like it because it is quiet, I suppose ? " said Uncle Tim.
" Precisely. We are driven to death in New York one way or
another. I went off for a little rest."
" Did you find it ? "
" Oh, yes. I forgot all about business, and lounged along, laugh-
ing and enjoying everything."
" You went to South America Lima by Panama, I suppose ? "
" No, by Buenos Ayres, stopping at Cuba and Rio Janeiro. I
had something to attend to there and, by-the-by, I ran over to
Florida."
" To see some friends in the country ? "
"Well, a little business."
" I thought you said you left business behind you when you
turned your back on New York ? "
" What took me to Florida did not amount to much. I merely
went there to buy a villa and an orange plantation for Mrs. B and
my brunettes. I then went back to Havana, where I had a little
matter to arrange, since I have come to think of it."
" Business again ? "
A MAN OF BUSINESS RESTING. jg/
" Well, not much. I had an interest in a sugar manufactory, and
one of those Spanish dons you meet in New York had persuaded me
to invest in a cigar fabrico. I thought I would straighten things, as
I was on the spot. So I sold out my sugar interest, pocketed half
the amount of the insurance on the cigar factory, which had just
burned down, and went on to Rio Janeiro."
" Where I do trust you had no business ! "
" Well," said Mr. Burdette, laughing at his companion's tone,
" it amounted to nothing at all a mere share in a coffee plantation.
I was compelled to go there, however, to look after some stock I
hold in Dom Pedro's street rail-car company. My idea was to talk
the senors into adopting the compressed air motor but that's a long
way ahead of South American progress ; so I went on to Buenos
Ayres and crossed over to Lima."
" Don't tell me, I beg, that you had business there ! You left
home to rest ! " exclaimed Uncle Tim, in a state of outrage.
" I am -sorry to say I had a trifle, both in Buenos Ayres and
Lima. Don't be uneasy ; it was not connected with guano or ni-
trates. To tell you a secret, I have invented a new electric brake for
railway cars to get ahead of my friend Edison and as I am one of
the directors of the Lima & Quito Trunk line "
" Good, Heavens ! Not more business ! "
Mr. Burdette laughed with an air of enjoyment.
" I didn't mind it," he said. " In fact, I am used to it. But I
see I am boring you. I soon picked up little Miss Giorgione and
set out for home."
" You didn't stop, I hope ? "
" For a day or two only, on the Isthmus and at New Orleans."
A " Not"
" Well, it did not signify. De Lesseps is a friend of mine, and
the ship canal, you know I had to audit some claim as a mem-
ber of the board ; but I was soon in New Orleans. A charming place."
" You enjoyed it, I hope, without "
" Well, my business there was really a mere bagatelle. As Vice-
President of the Ashtabula Line of steamboats but I see I am
growing tedious. I never enjoyed a trip more it was such a com-
plete rest ! I am growing positively idle, and will find it a hard
struggle to get back to business ! "
With which foreboding Mr. Burdette sighed, and then laughed
m response to the laughter of his delighted companion, Uncle Tim.
MK. BURDETTE WHISTLES.
VI.
MR. BURDETTE WHISTLES.
DR. HAWORTH had not ceased to manifest from the first mo-
ment of his friend's arrival the real pleasure he experienced from
that event. It is a great satisfaction sometimes to have one call one
" old fellow " which, wanting in distinguished consideration, has a
much greater charm.
So they rode and walked together, and had long talks. Dr. Ha-
worth, without reserve, told his friend everything connected with
the approaching trial at Abbeyville ; and having listened in deep
astonishment, Mr. Burdette uttered a prolonged whistle.
He then turned around and said, fixing his eyes upon Dr. Ha-
worth :
" Are you literary ? "
- " Literary ? I am not sure I understand."
" Are you engaged on a romance ? "
" Writing one ? Certainly not."
" Well, I thought you were, and that you were giving me an out-
line of your plot ! "
Thereupon Mr. Burdette whistled again and exclaimed :
" Write it up ! There's millions in it ! fifty thousand copies
ordered in advance ! presses working night and day and un-
able 'to supply the demand ! Write it up, Haworth, write it
up ! "
"You forget there is no denouement, my dear Busdette," said Dr.
Haworth grimly, " but that is not far off now. You have come just
in time to be present."
" I must get back business calls me. I have rested too long,
When does it come off ? "
"Next week."
Mr. Burdetta inspected his note-book, muttering :
" Meeting of the board Tuesday the appointment with Billin
to well, I may be able to stay, perhaps."
" You will see something worth seeing," said Dr. Haworth in his
grave voice. "This man is going to show fight it is a matter of
life and death with him."
" Do you think you can bring that horrible affair home to him ? "
asked Mr. Burdette in an earnest tone.
MR. BURDETTE WHISTLES.
189
" I mean to make the attempt, at least. You can judge for your-
self, as I have told you everything."
" And I never was more flattered, Haworth. A man like your-
self rarely talks as plainly as you have talked to me."
" Take the fact, if you choose, as an evidence of my estimate of
your character. Yes, the issue is now joined between myself and
Col. Ross. Whether he strangled James Maurice with his own
hands or not, he was concerned in it ! "
" A man of his high position ! and I think I heard some one say
that the whole country sympathized with him and thought the charge
an outrage ? "
" You heard the truth," said Dr. Haworth coolly. " Col. Ross is
a man of position, and what is more serious, of wealth and influence.
He has engaged the ablest counsel and insists upon a prompt trial.
His friends are manufacturing public sentiment here and in the
prominent journals. At this moment I am an object of positive de-
testation to the good people of this country. I, an unknown stranger,
am presssing a gross and fatal charge the charge of secret murder
against one of the first gentlemen of this community ! "
" Well," said Mr. Burdette, with the same earnestness, " I know
you too well not to be sure that you know what you are doing."
" I know perfectly well ! I have him in my hand, Burdette ! If
he is guilty I swear he shall not escape as long as I am alive I will
not let him rest ! "
" There is no possibility of mistake then ? His character "
" Of mistake ? His character ? " exclaimed Dr. Haworth ; " what
would you say of a man who forged a paper reflecting dishonor on
a lady to force her to give him the hand of her daughter ? "
" I should say he was a scoundrel ! "
" Then you have the proof that this man is such since he did
so."
They had walked out in the grounds and were coming back
toward the house now.
" Well, I'll stay whether I can or not," said Mr. Burdette sud-
denly. " One doesn't meet with such a drama every day. Yes, I'll
stay over to the trial."
" I am glad to hear it ; and now let us come to something more
agreeable. I see your young friend, Miss Giorgione, as you call her,
yonder walking out with Jean."
" It looks like a case," said Mr. Burdette, resuming his cheerful-
190
MR. BVRDETTE WHISTLES.
ness, "and I am glad I brought the young thing away from Prof.
Lesner's. Poor old fellow how sorry I am for him."
" It is really melancholy. I have seen his book the ' Psychology
of Opium.' It is a strange performance."
" Yes I hesitated about publishing it ; but he was so pressing
that I sent it to press!"
" Then publishers are accessible to human feeling ? " said Dr.
Haworth, evidently striving to throw off his gloomy mood.
" Publishers ?" said Mr. Burdette, "accessible to feeling? My
dear fellow, they are babes babes ! No author ever- appeals to
them in vain, and they live up to their lofty ideal and grand mis-
sion."
" What is that ? "
" To lend a hand to struggling genius and make money ! "
Mr. Burdette had evidently regained his good spirits, and said
kindly :
" Poor old Lesner ! He is a scholar and a gentleman and he
has become the slave of opium. I sympathize with him deeply, and
would do anything in my power to assist him as I know you would,
Haworth."
" Anything whatever but these slaveries are discouraging.
There is but one course for a man of feeling to treat them gently
and endeavor to touch the morale. That is the only hope ; and this
poor old gentleman, I fear, has weakened his will too much."
" It looks like it. Well, I'll hope for the best. What a jolly old
place," said Mr. Burdette, looking up at the Mauricewood house as
they drew near.
" A good example of a Southern country home."
" Yes, cheerful with the door wide open. But just think of that
terrible business ! Which is the room ? "
" That to the left yonder."
" With the closed blinds ? "
" Yes."
"Well, I've often stopped to look at the house where the Nathan
murder took place on Twenty-third street but this seems stranger.
It is hard to connect the idea of murder with a place like this.
Which window did the murderer enter at ? "
" That one," said Dr. Haworth, pointing.
" You think he was really Ross ? "
" We will know next week," said Dr. Haworth.
THE OPENING OF THE TRIAL. igi
VII.
THE OPENING OF THE TRIAL.
THE day for the trial came, and a great crowd filled the court-
house at Abbeyville.
It was an old brick building, discolored by age, standing in th*.
middle of a grassy yard, and the court-room was spacious, with a
raised platform for the Judge, seats for the jury to the left, and a
long desk for the bar in front.
The Prosecuting Attorney occupied an arm-chair near the Clerk,
who sat just beneath the Judge. In one corner was a small elevated
dais surrounded by a railing the dock. But this was rarely used.
By 9 o'clock in the morning all the avenues to the court-house
had been thronged, so great was the public curiosity; and by u,
when court opened, a dense mass packed the court-room. It was
difficult to move an inch, and when the Sheriff was compelled in the
exercise of his official functions to make his way through the crowd
he did so at the imminent risk of his apparel.
The accused, Col. Ross, Job. Wilkins, and Mrs. Wilkins, were
seated behind the long desk facing the Judge and near their coun-
sel, two in number, one of them the most eminent criminal lawyer
in a circuit of fifty miles, and the other a rising young advocate who
had already developed an original knack for working upon juries.
The jury was chosen with difficulty, and only after long and hot
discussion. There had been, apparently, very few persons who had
not formed an opinion, namely, that the charge against Col. Ross,
at least, was an outrage, and securing a panel consumed nearly two
hours. At last that was effected, however, and the trial began.
At this moment the large apartment presented a striking specta-
cle. The autumn sunshine streaming through the lofty windows,
covered with dust and cobwebs, lit up the contrasted figures of the
dense crowd the well-dressed gentlemen, the roughly-clad, and at
the door some dusky Africans, who, like their white fellow-citizens,
recently their masters, had caught the general contagion. A stray
beam fell on the ancient clerk seated behind his table, upon the si-
lent jury, and the face of Col. Ross, with its expression of unaltera-
ble composure. He was scrupulously neat in his toilet, and wore
fawn-colored kid gloves, according to his habit. His black coat and
spotless bosom gave him the air of a person attending a fete, and
THE OPENING OF THE TRIAL.
Mr. Burdette, who was standing in the crowd immediately behind
him, looked at him with philosophic interest.
The Wilkins people were a great contrast they were dirty and
sullen. On the man's face there was seen a sort of ferocity as of an
animal driven to bay ; on the woman's a stolid and cunning look,
which defied the penetration of the crowd staring intently at her.
His Honor the Judge and the counsel have not received their
due amount of attention, in this rapid coup d'cetl of the court-room.
Judge Gideon Bootlack was a little man with a red nose, and a pair
of watery eyes, who had supplanted his gray haired predecessor, a
Judge of the old rtgime the result of his ardent support of the
powers that were. He had enemies every great man has and
these foes went so far as to declare that the orthography of his name
was defective, that in reality it was " Bootlick," and derived from
" bootlicking the boss," whatever that might mean. This was proba-
bly a mere slander, however, as the Judge, according to his own
statement, was a man of expanded views. He aspired to Congress,
the Cabinet, and the Presidency, on the ground that in this great
country the humblest, etc., etc. Meanwhile, and previous to being
obliged to give dinners at the White House with bouquets at the
plates, he was little Gideon Bootlack, with smirking lips stained with
tobacco, a weazen face like a winter apple, small red eyes, an ob-
sequious manner, a complete ignorance of law, and a pleasing habit
when appealed to for his judicial decision of clearing his throat, say-
ing, " Ah, well," and proceeding to flounder in mud and incompre-
hensibility.
Mr. Dunn, Prosecuting Attorney, was a gentleman of about 40
tall, thoroughbred, good-looking, with a lazy smile, quiet manners,
very friendly, but a rough wrestler and fond of philippic. He was
an excellent lawyer, an admirable public speaker, and universally
popular, though he took no pains to wheedle anybody. The Judge
was rather afraid of him, and also of Mr. Shirley, the senior counsel
for the defense, a man of imposing manners, piercing eyes under
bushy brows, and a way of taking snuff which awed people. As to
Mr. Sparrow, the junior counsel, he hopped and chirped, and while
speaking shook his fist, appealed to the bystanders, executed gym-
nastics, and seemed to have taken a contract to remove the roof of
the court-house with his circular-saw voice, whose terrible rasping
had been known to make women in the audience faint.
The trial began. The three accused persons had been joined in
THE OPENING OF THE TRIAL.
193
one indictment Wilkins and his wife as principals, and Col. Ross
as accessory before the fact.
The familiar preliminary proceedings of a criminal trial having
come to an end, the Commonwealth introduced its witnesses.
The first witness called was Jean Baptiste.
The young man at once went and was sworn. He then took
his stand facing the Commonwealth's Attorney, with the jury on
the left, and the prisoners and their counsel on his right behind the
long desk.
" Turn so as to address the jury in giving your evidence," said
Mr. Dunn. " What is your name ? "
" Jean Baptiste Maurice," said the young man in a respectful
voice.
" Maurice ? Then the name Jean Baptiste is not your full
name ? "
" It is not. My full name is Jean Baptiste Maurice, as I have
said."
A movement had passed through the dense crowd at the utter-
ance of the name Maurice. It plainly produced a sensation.
" Where were you born ? " said Mr. Dunn.
" In the City of Lima."
" How old are you ? "
" I am just 21 years of age, as I was born in the month of Oc-
tober, 1859 the precise day I do not know."
" You call yourself Maurice. The name has an intimate con-
nection with this trial. Who were your father and your moth-
er?"
" My mother was Marie Antoinette Lascelles Maurice and my
father was John Maurice, attache to the American Legation at
Lima."
At the name of John Maurice the sensation in the crowd was
greater than before. Every eye was fixed upon the witness, and
Col. Ross was seen to lean forward and look at him with an aston-
ishment which he made no effort to conceal. Dr. Haworth, who
was not far from him, had never ceased to watch his adversary, and
understood his expression without difficulty. That expression meant
" The son of John Maurice and Antoinette Lascelles ! "
" Do you mean to state," the attorney continued, " that your
father was John Maurice of Mauricewood ? "
" Yes."
9
THE OPENING OF THE TRIAL.
" What evidence have you to offer in support of your state-
ment ? "
" The certificates from the civil and church records at Lima of
the marriage of my parents, and my mother's wedding-ring."
Jean drew from his breast a folded paper.
" There are the certificates and the ring," he said, holding them
out.
Mr. Dunn, the attorney, took them and examined the ring. It
was a plain gold band, on the inner surface of which were engraved
the letters J. M. and M. A. L., in the form of a monogram.
" These are the initials of the names you mention John Mau-
rice and Marie Antoinette Lascelles ? " he said.
" Cost of engraving ten cents a letter ? " interpolated Mr. Spar-
row, junior counsel for the defense, with a gay chirp.
Jean turned his head.
"The genuineness of the ring is another question," said Mr.
Sparrow, hopping about.
" It is my mother's wedding-ring ! " said Jean haughtily ; " what
right have you to question my character ? "
" Or to interrupt the witness it must be stopped," said Mr.
Dunn curtly.
" I am not a forger ! " exclaimed Jean, looking over Mr. Spar-
row's head straight at Col. Ross.
At this apostrophe Col. Ross' color changed, but he said noth-
ing and continued to look intently at the witness.
" Well, now," said Mr. Dunn, leaning back with his arms behind
his head, " as this little matter is settled to the satisfaction of the
learned counsel, I will come to the certificates."
He unfolded the papers and said to Jean :
" These are the certificates, you say, of the marriage of your
parents. They are in Spanish, I see. Is there any one in the court-
room who understands Spanish ? "
He looked around in the midst of a deep silence.
Jean raised his finger and pointed straight at Col. Ross.
"He understands Spanish," he said.
" That might have occurred to me, as Col. Ross has resided in
South America."
Mr. Sparrow laughed gleefully, and hopped about, rubbing his
hands.
" Not a bad joke to apply to the Colonel," he said. " He is
THE OPENING OF THE TRIAL.
195
slightly interested in this cause, or I would propose to you to put
him on the witness stand."
" I don't want him on the stand : I want him where he is," said
Mr. Dunn, with his lazy smile.
At Mr. Sparrow's joke the crowd had laughed aloud. It was
plain that scarcely a person in the whole assembly believed in Col.
Ross' guilt.
" Will Col. Ross," said Mr. Dunn, " be good enough to tell the
court, in the character of expert, if these papers certify to what the
witness has testified, and whether they are in form ? "
" With pleasure, sir," said Col. Ross, and the papers were handed
across to him. As he took them a close observer might have
noticed a slight tremor in his habitually firm hand, but this at once
disappeared.
" These papers are in Spanish, as you say," he said coolly, after
examining them, " and are civil and ecclesiastical certificates of the
lawful marriage of the parties."
" Of John Maurice and Marie Antoinette Lascelles ? "
" Yes."
" Have they marks of being genuine ? "
" My client is not on the stand ! " shouted Mr. Sparrow in over-
powering wrath. " I object ! I object ! I "
" Well, the matter is of no material importance," said Mr. Dunn.
" As the papers are stamped with the official seals I suppose they
are all right. It is not material. I am not going to ask the court
for a commission to South America. They manage that sort of
business better in Washington ! "
He resumed the direct examination and said :
" Your father married your mother then in South America I
have heard something of that and she died, I suppose ? "
" She died soon after my birth, in October, 1859."
" But your father was left to you ? "
" He was absent from the country at the time."
" Poor fellow ! " said Mr. Dunn, " you must have had a hard
time of it. But your friends cared for you ? "
" I had none my mother was a stranger. I was taken care of
by an old half-breed woman named Juanna Panza, who lives near
Lima, and had waited on my mother, I believe. She was very igno-
rant and could scarcely speak intelligibly. I never knew my father's
name until recently."
196
THE OPENING OF THE TRIAL.
" Very well that is a straightforward story, and I for one be-
lieve it."
" Your belief," cried the irrepressible Sparrow, " is not "
" Well, as I was saying," continued Mr. Dunn negligently, " you
are then closely related, it seems, to the estimable family so painfully
connected with the prosecution. You no doubt came from South
America to visit your relatives ? "
" No, sir, I knew nothing of the relationship until a few days
since. The old woman had told me nothing, and left me to run
wild, and I afterward became a street boy. I was taken and edu-
cated by a kind friend, who made me his private secretary, and I
came to this neighborhood as his traveling companion."
" A kind friend, you say ? "
" Dr. Haworth."
" Who is Dr. Haworth ? "
" He is a gentleman who lives near Lima. He was a general in
the Peruvian army, but resigned after the war, and travels under the
title of doctor, which he received from a foreign university."
" He is very much interested in the trial of this cause, I believe ? "
" Yes."
Mr. Dunn nodded. He then said :
" I will now ask a question which will probably save my friends
on the other side some trouble."
Mr. Shirley raised his head quietly Mr. Sparrow hopped up
and sat down.
" Has there been any previous acquaintance between Dr. Ha-
worth and Col. Ross ? "
" Yes."
" State anything you know on the subject."
" Yes, state the circumstances," cried Mr. Sparrow.
" Col. Ross and Dr. Haworth, who was at that time Gen. Ha-
worth, had 3 personal encounter with cutlasses in Callao harbor,"
said he. " A market boat armed with a torpedo was turned adrift
and hauled in by a Peruvian steamer. The Chilian ship then came
to close quarters and a fight followed, in which, I think, Col. Ross
and Gen. Haworth slightly wounded each other."
" They are not friends, then ? "
" They are not."
" Why ? I was a soldier once and never felt any spite. Why
did Gen. Haworth ? "
THE TESTIMONY OF JEAN BAPTISTE. 197
" He probably had other causes for disliking Col. Ross."
" What were they ? "
" I suppose he will tell you."
" Well, they may come out in the progress of the trial. I will
come now to another point. Was your father, John Maurice, ac-
quainted with Col. Ross ? "
Mr. Sparrow bounded to his feet and shook his fist at the ceil-
ing. His excitement was overpowering.
" I object ! " he shrilled. " Are we to go into the history of the
world and all its inhabitants ! Are we to have lugged into this
cause every ! "
" Well, let's go to dinner," said Mr. Dunn, laughing and looking
at his watch. " I'm hungry."
This was a cruel extinguisher on Mr. Sparrow's eloquence, but
as Judge Gideon Bootlack had been kept from his dear tavern bar
for many hours, he also consulted his watch, said " Hum ! ah !
later than I supposed. I will adjourn court until to-morrow, gentle-
men ; " and the court accordingly adjourned.
The crowd then dispersed, and the accused were reconducted
to jail. Col. Ross received on his route many evidences of popular
sympathy, and bowed with his habitual courtesy; but it was after-
ward remembered that he looked a little pale. This was singular,
as he had preserved his composure up to the last question asked by
Mr. Dunn. The long exercise had probably fatigued him.
VIII.
THE TESTIMONY OF JEAN BAPTISTE.
THE court-room on the next morning presented nearly the same
spectacle. The crowd was as dense, the curiosity as absorbing, and
Judge Bootlack, fortified by a stiff constitutional, was ready to ex-
pound the law and, if necessary, the Constitution.
As soon as court was opened Mr. Sparrow hopped to his feet.
He had before him a pile of law books and a quire of foolscap con-
taining the heads of his intended discourse he had, in fact, re-
mained up all night preparing a few impromptu remarks.
" May it please your Honor," said Mr. Sparrow, drawing down
his waistcoat and clearing his throat
!Q8 THE TESTIMONY OF JEAN BAPTISTE.
" I withdraw the question," said Mr. Dunn, yawning ; " it is of
no importance."
Mr. Sparrow looked thunderstruck.
" My friend ought to be obliged to me it saves him trouble,"
said Mr. Dunn, laughing lazily.
Mr. Sparrow looked daggers, which Mr. Dunn responded to by
an amiable smile. He then said :
" I suppose documentary evidence is admissible in a court of law,
your Honor ? "
" Documentary evidence, sir ? " said Judge Bootlack. " Certainly,
sir it is, of course, the best of all evidence, sir."
" To save time, then, and before resuming the direct examina-
tion, I will read a deposition concerning the point referred to in my
question asked yesterday."
" A deposition ? Certainly, sir."
Then, fortified by the approval of the court, Mr. Dunn unfolded
a document and said :
" I am obliged to apply to some one in the audience again to
read this. It is Spanish or some foreign lingo. I am only acquainted
with English, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew my education was neg-
lected."
This was appreciated by the crowd, who laughed, and Mr. Dunn
added :
" It is really giving Col. Ross too much trouble ; perhaps the
witness Baptiste, or rather Maurice, who has lived in South Amer-
ica, might interpret for us, and Col. Ross might say if he translates
correctly. Call Jean Baptiste Maurice."
Jean came forward.
" You understand Spanish ? "
" Yes, sir."
"Well, translate this paper into English for the court."
Jean took the paper and said :
" It is headed, ' Deposition of Pedro Nunez, formerly master-of-
arms, now retired."
At the name of Pedro Nunez, Col. Ross visibly changed color,
but said nothing.
" Proceed," said Mr. Dunn ; " the object is to show that Col.
Ross and John Maurice were personal enemies in South America."
" That has nothing to do with this case ! " cried Mr. Sparrow.
" Nobody murdered John Maurice ! "
THE TESTIMONY OF JEAN BAPTISTE. igg
" What I mean to show is that a man supposed to be John Mau-
rice was murdered at Mauricewood on the night of May 7, 1860,"
said Mr. Dunn, coclly. " Translate the deposition."
Jean did so. What Pedro Nunez deposed to was that some
time in the year 1858 or 1859 Senor John Maurice and Senor Fer-
dinand Ross had fought with swords obtained from his fencing gal-
lery. From an altercation between the parties, which took place in
his presence, he became aware that the cause of the quarrel was the
marked attention paid to Mrs. Maurice by Senor Ross, who had
been acquainted with her before her marriage. Mr. Maurice had
ended by slapping Senor Ross' face, and in the encounter which fol-
lowed ran him through the shoulder, which put an end to the affair
soon after which Senor Maurice left the country.
" Is that all ? " said Mr. Dunn.
" There is the signature of the notary Espartero before whom
the deposition was taken, and a certificate of the authorities to the
official character of Espartero and the credibility of the deponent."
" Very well," said Mr. Dunn. " I will now resume the direct
examination of the witness, Jean Baptiste Maurice."
He looked as he spoke at Col. Ross, whose face was as black as
night.
" We will proceed to the testimony connecting the principals and
accessory in the guilt of the murder of James Maurice," said Mr.
Dunn.
He turned to Jean and said :
" Have you been present on any occasion when the accused in
this case, principal and accessory, had any conversation together ? "
" Yes."
" State the occasion and the circumstances according to the best
of your recollection."
Jean thereupon described the night interview between Col. Ross
and the woman in the hills. The subject of their conversation, ha
said, was Dr. Haworth's visit to the house a short time before, and
Col. Ross had warned the woman that he was tracking her, and to
take care. They then went into the house where Wilkins himself
then was. and whispered together, after which Col. Ross came out
and rode away.
At this direct testimony to a private understanding between the
Wilkins people and Col. Ross the crowd moved to and fro, and a
buzz rose from it. Mr. Dunn reflected for a moment and then said :
2OO THE TESTIMONY OF JEAN BAPTISTS.
"I understand you to say that there was a direct reference made
by Col. Ross in this night interview to the presence of Dr. Haworth
in the neighborhood ? "
" Yes."
" With the view of tracking some one ? "
" Yes ; tracking the woman."
" Was Dr. Haworth's name mentioned ? "
" It was not, but the person was described by Col. Ross in his
first question to the woman."
" Well, it seems that there is no love lost between the parties.
Has any other fact come to your knowledge going to show that Col.
Ross was well, let us say tracking Dr. Haworth ? "
"A spy was employed to watch his movements."
"A spy? "
" A young woman of this town Miss Burns."
"Ah ! State what you know about that."
" Miss Burns was engaged as a seamstress at Mauricewood, and
watched Dr. Haworth, writing regular reports to some one here and
receiving replies. She also came into Dr. Haworth's room one night
and tried to open his traveling valise."
" Well, that is interesting. Do I understand that you saw her ? "
" Yes."
" You must have taken her for a ghost ; an attractive feminine
article as she must have appeared in her well, her night raiment ? "
The crowd, holding its breath, had the immense relief of a laugh.
" She was dressed. I saw her, as I was wide awake."
" What was she looking for ? "
" Papers, I suppose."
" To show the object of Dr. Haworth's presence here ? "
" I suppose that was her object."
" Well you spoke of letters written by Miss Burns, and of her
replies ? "
"Yes."
" How did you ascertain the facts you state ? "
" I found the correspondence."
" Where ? "
" In a spot in the Mauricewood grounds. The messenger who
came for them and brought answers was the man Wilkins."
" Ah ! Well, that is an interesting fact. You say you found
the correspondence. Did you destroy it ? "
THE TESTIMONY OF JEAN BAPTISTE. 2 QI
"Dr. Haworth meant to burn it and threw it in the fire, but I
snatched it out. Here it is."
Jean produced the letter written by Miss Burns and the re-
sponse.
" I see mention of an anonymous letter," said Mr. Dunn, coolly.
" Was that sent ? "
" Yes."
" What was the result ? "
" Everybody laughed at it, and Dr. Haworth seemed to despise
it."
" I suppose he did. I have not heard of many respectable anony-
mous correspondents in my time. I will read this interesting litera-
ture aloud now for the benefit of all the world and his wife."
" This gentleman seems fond of his joke and his forged letters ! "
said Mr. Sparrow furiously.
" Well," said Mr. Dunn, lazily, " I don't enjoy these forensic
struggles as much as I used to do when I was young. They bore
me, generally speaking, and I like to get in a laugh whenever it is
possible."
He then read the letters, and laying them on the table, said :
" One thing seems plain that somebody, whoever he or she was,
was deeply interested in Dr. Haworth. Perhaps it was some fair
admirer, but I think the letters show that he was of the male sex.
Job Wilkins at all events seems to have been a mutual friend."
Col. Ross was leaning back in his chair with an expression of
scorn and defiance. He said nothing, but his face seemed to indi-
cate that he regarded the whole affair with contempt.
"Well," said Mr. Dunn, "let this point pass for the moment.
We will have Miss Burns in court, and perhaps her town friend.
You can take the witness, gentlemen."
For three hours Jean was subjected to an exhausting cross-ex-
amination, and all the points brought out in the examination-in-chief
were touched upon by the unerring acumen of Mr. Shirley. Mr.
Sparrow seemed to have vanished for the time from the case was
actually silenced.
The cross-examination resulted in nothing. Jean repeated his
testimony and the attempt to shake it in any manner entirely failed.
If he was perjuring himself he was doing so too skillfully to be de-
tected. As to the effect of his evidence on the jury, nothing was
known ; and the audience made no demonstrations. Col. Ross pre-
2O2 DR. SEABRICHT AND OTHERS ARE EXAMINED.
served a grim silence ; and when the proceedings ended for the day,
and the court adjourned to the next, it was impossible to say what
people thought, or what was coming next.
IX.
DR. SEABRIGHT AND OTHERS ARE EXAMINED.
WHEN court opened on the next day the crowd was if possible
greater than on the days preceding. The room was a sea of heads,
and at the doors and windows swarming black faces served as a
background.
Looking at these friends of his unjustly banished from their
proper sphere the front Judge Bootlack sighed. It was a viola-
tion of civil rights. Did not the American Constitution recognize
the equality of all citizens ? One prominent gentleman of color was
so well dressed and looked so influential that the Judge meditated
the propriety of inviting him to come up and take a seat beside him
on the bench. It would tell, in a political point of view, and make
him popular with the dusky " allies," but Mr. Dunn was there to
laugh in his terrible way, and perhaps say something sarcastic, so
the Judge refrained.
Mr. Dunn seemed in high spirits, and spent a few minutes jok-
ing with his friend Sparrow. With Mr. Shirley he was quiet and
courteous looking at and addressing him with the respect felt by a
swordsman for an adversary worthy of his steel.
Then the court was opened and there was a profound silence.
Mr. Dunn looked over his memorandum lying on the table, rub-
bing his hands negligently.
" Miss Burns is next on my list the handsome young mail car-
rieress, or postmistress," he said ; " shall we call her ? I don't want
her, but we may as well ask her what she knows about the private
postal service. Call Miss Burns."
Miss Burns was called and came forward. She was in gorgeous
array and giggled behind her handkerchief as she was sworn.
A farce followed, to the great delight of the crowd. Miss Burns
represented her performances at Mauricewood as a mere jest. Her
friend, Miss Larkins, of the town, had a friend who here Miss
Burns giggled well, who took an interest in Dr. Haworth. This
DR. SEA BRIGHT AND OTHERS ARE EXAMINED. 203
friend was a Miss Somebody that was all she knew about her.
She was jealous, it seemed, as there was a nice young lady at Mau-
ricewood of whom the Doctor was fond ; and when Miss Larkins,
acting for Miss Somebody, proposed to her, Miss Burns, to discover
what was going on, she agreed it was a good joke and put her
letters under a tree. Had she gone into Dr. Haworth's room at
night ? What an idea ? She did walk in her sleep sometimes it
was a bad habit she wished she could get over it. But go into
a gentleman's room ? She would cheerfully expire before commit-
ting such an impropriety ! and Miss Burns giggled.
Mr. Dunn laughed in response that jocose Mr. Dunn.
" Well, that's rather interesting," he said, " and sounds like a
dime-novel. Jealousy mystery nocturnal somnambulists and
unknown 'somebodies.' Perhaps Miss Larkins might tell us some-
thing."
Miss Burns regretted that Miss Larkins had been called away
to a distant part of the country by the illness of one of her sis-
ters.
" I thought her sister would be unwell, or some other member
of her family," said Mr. Dunn, nodding his head. " I have no fur-
ther questions to ask Miss Burns."
And as the defense had none, Miss Burns retired, with a last
giggle.
" Call Mr. Timothy Maurice," said Mr. Dunn.
And Mr. Tim Maurice came forward, was sworn, and took the
stand.
" Mr. Maurice," said Mr. Dunn, resuming his seriousness, " will
you state all that you know of the circumstances attending the mur-
der of your brother, Mr. James Maurice ? "
Uncle Tim did so in a clear and succinct manner. The murder
cry in the night, his alarm, the scene in the apartment, his hastening
to procure the brandy, and his meeting with the woman Pitts, with
her hands under her apron. The whole scene was painted in the
simplest but most effective manner ; and Uncle Tim's pain at the
recital evidently affected the crowd.
" Mr. James Maurice, you say, was dead when you returned ? "
said Mr. Dunn. " What theory did you form the question is
proper of the cause of his death ? "
Mr. Sparrow was about to hop up, but Mr, Shirley restrained
him.
204 DR ~ SEABRIGIIT AXD OTHERS ARE EXAMINED.
" I naturally concluded that some one had murdered him," said
Uncle Tim.
" Did you see any weapon ? "
" Yes, a hammer, lying beside the bed. A glove was also found
which belonged to no one in the establishment."
" Which hammer and glove, I understand, were supposed to be
the property of Mr. Henry Ducis, who was convicted of the mur-
der."
" I never supposed so; I don't believe Mr. Ducis was guilty."
" It is important about the woman. I think you said her name
was Pitts, and that she was a servant or housekeeper."
" Something of both."
" She had her hands under her apron, and the sum of money you
mentioned had disappeared ? "
" Yes, sir."
" When you reached the apartment was the window open ? "
" Yes."
" It is natural to suppose, as you believed Mr. Maurice had been
murdered, that you connected the open window with the murderer."
" I certainly did."
" With any person in particular ? With ? "
Mr. Dunn caught the fixed eye of Mr. Shirley.
" I am not going to ask the witness if he suspected Col. Ross
or any person, by name," said Mr. Dunn. " I have the right to ask
the witness what impression was made upon him at the time."
" Yes," said Mr. Shirley.
" I suspected Wilkins, who had been my brother's manager and
had quarreled with him, and also the woman Pitts, now his wife. I
believe that he murdered my brother and that the woman was his
accomplice."
" Well," said Mr. Dunn, " there is no statute, I believe, against
putting two and two together. The friends of Wilkins are known.
They pay him visits at night and Wilkins himself carries letters for
' somebody ' to put in trees. Now a word on one or two other
points. Mr. Maurice, will you describe the chamber in which your
brother was murdered ? "
" It was on the first floor, opening on the veranda."
" Was it his habit to sleep there ? "
" Yes, but as it was the best chamber in the house it had been
arranged as the bridal chamber of my niece, Mrs. John Maurice,
DR. SEABRIGHT AA'D OTHERS ARE EXAMINED.
2O5
The change was made on the night of the wedding, and my niece's
bridal presents which had been exposed on the bed were taken up
stairs."
" For some days, then, before the night of Mrs. Maurice's mar-
riage this room was supposed to be designed for her bridal apart-
ment ? "
" Yes."
" Is it not possible, therefore, that the murderer supposed he was
striking at Mr. John Maurice!"
" At my nephew ? He had not an enemy in the world."
" Was the room well lit ? "
" There was only a taper swimming on oil the candle had been
put out."
" The result of which was half darkness ? "
"More than half darkness."
" More than half darkness," repeated Mr. Dunn, " You say that
all this occurred late on the night of the wedding. Do you remem-
ber what guests were present ? "
" Nearly all the neighborhood."
" Were there exceptions ? "
" I remember none of our friends except Col. Ross, who was
then a young man. I think I heard that he was absent from the
country.
" He was at the time an officer in the navy, I believe ? "
" Yes, but was frequently at home."
" Were he and your brother James Maurice friendly toward each
other ? "
" Well, they had at one time a misunderstanding, but I do not
believe it amounted to anything."
" They were not what you would call enemies ? "
" I should not call them enemies."
" Your nephew, Mr. John Maurice, had no enemies either, you
say ? "
" I never heard that he had one in the world. He was most
amiable, though a high-tempered man when he was aroused ; an
affair in South America with Col. Ross, which has been deposed to,
is the only quarrel of his I have ever heard of."
" I understand you to say that you never thought that Mr. Ducis
was guilty?"
" I have never thought so for a moment."
20 6 DR. SEABRIGHT AND OTHERS ARE EXAMINED.
" Take the witness, gentlemen," said Mr. Dunn.
The cross-examination brought out no new facts, and Mr. Tim
Maurice retired, when the Prosecuting Attorney called Dr. Seabright.
" You were the family physician of the Maurices at the time of
the murder of Mr. Maurice, I believe, Doctor?" said Mr. Dunn.
"Yes," growled Dr. Seabright.
" Were you sent for on the occasion of the murder? "
" Of course people say we doctors kill, so we are expected to
bring the dead to life."
" Mr. Maurice was dead when you arrived ? "
" Stone dead."
" What was the cause of his death a blow with a hammer or
other weapon ? "
"No."
" What then ? "
" He was strangled."
A murmur rose from the crowd.
" Strangled ! " said Mr. Dunn, quietly. " What grounds have
you for such an opinion ? "
" I saw the marks on his neck. He was strangled, I say -gar-
roted, as the Spanish people call it."
" The experts on the former trial declared, I am told, that he died
from a blow."
Dr. Seabright flamed out :
" The expert asses may have said so ! I am not responsible for
what that cattle say ! "
" Well the deceased came to his death, then, by strangling, or
\hegarrote, to use your expression. That is a curious idea. Ameri-
can murderers generally resort to a knife or revolver."
" I did not say the murderer was an American I know nothing
about it."
" Not an American ? Oh ! I understand. You mean that he
was a foreigner or a person who had lived abroad in Spain or
Spanish countries."
" I know nothing about it ! I only know that James Maurice
was strangled ! garroted ! There was no knife or revolver about it."
" And yet no better weapons, could be found for putting a man
out of the way."
" They make noise if you want my idea."
" Noise ? "
DR. SEABRIGHT AND OTHERS ARE EXAMINED.
207
" Certainly ! People hear a pistol shot, and a man who is stabbed
cries out if he is not dumb."
" I understand, then, that your opinion is that the murder was
committed by a skillful person one who meant to do his work
quietly, without noise, and go away as he came."
"Yes."
" There were no indications of a blow with a hammer or other
heavy instrument ? "
" There were none to account for his death. A slight abrasure
was visible under the hair, but it amounted to nothing. He may
have been struck afterward. The real cause of his death was the
gar rote."
Mr. Dunn arranged his papers and reflected.
" I am curious about this garrote business," he said. "It is the
Spanish method of execution, I am told, and breaks a man's neck
better than a rope. How does it work ? Can anybody tell me
any one familiar with the operation ? "
He looked round and incidentally glanced at Col. Ross, who had
grown rather pale. He was seated behind Mr. Shirley, paring the
nails of one of his white hands. The hand shook a little ; then, as
Mr. Dunn resumed his examination of the witness, the tremor dis-
appeared.
" Well, Doctor," said Mr. Dunn, " I believe I have no further
questions to ask you. Mr. Maurice was strangled, you say you
saw the marks of the garrote on his neck. But he was not dead
when his brother came in ? "
" He died from syncope he was a man of feeble health."
" The hammer found was not the death weapon, then the one
said to have been the property of Mr. Ducis ? "
" Mr. Ducis had nothing to do with the affair. He was as inno-
cent as the babe unborn ! The expert asses and the donkeys that
tried him were the cause of his conviction ! "
" You seem to have been a friend of Mr. Ducis ? "
" I was ; he was the noblest man on earth, and as innocent as
you are."
Mr. Dunn nodded.
" I understand, then, your agency in arresting two of the accused
parties."
" That was it. As soon as I had information I never rested until
I had them in jail."
208 DR. HA WORTH'S CURIOUS FANCY.
" Who gave you the information ? "
" Dr. Haworth."
" Who is Dr. Haworth ? "
" He is Dr. Haworth, of South America."
" How is he interested in this affair ? "
" You can ask him."
" That's true. You have met him frequently, I suppose ? "
" A number of times I was at Mauricewood and saw him yes-
terday."
" He is on a visit to the family ? "
"Yes."
" And a suitor, I understand, of Miss Maurice ? "
" I understand so."
Mr. Shirley listened with profound astonishment, looking at Mr.
Dunn.
" Can you inform the jury whether Col. Ross has been a frequent
visitor to Mauricewood this autumn ? "
" I believe he has."
" He is also a suitor for the hand of Miss Maurice, I think ? "
said Mr. Dunn carelessly.
Mr. Shirley elevated his eyebrows and looked fixedly at Mr.
Dunn.
" I think I have heard so."
" So that it is reasonable to conclude that Dr. Haworth is not
friendly to Col. Ross ? "
Mr. Shirley looked inexpressibly puzzled.
" Probably he is not," said Dr. Seabright.
" Well, that perhaps explains Dr. Haworth's interest in this trial,
so far as one person is concerned," said Mr. Dunn, picking his teeth.
" You can take the witness, gentlemen."
But the counsel for the defense were in consultation. Mr. Shir-
ley had become composed, but Mr. Sparrow with difficulty sup-
pressed his agitation. He gesticulated, whispered hoarsely, and
then, rising, said :
" We have no questions to ask the witness."
" Well, I'm glad of it," said Mr. Dunn, with his lazy smile. " I
attended a Readjuster gathering last night, and feel rather exhausted.
I should like to procure a toddy or julep and a little dinner. I move
an adjournment to this evening say at 6."
The court promptly acquiesced. The mention of toddy proba-
DR. HA WORTH'S TESTIMONY. 209
bly acted on its nerves. Proclamation was therefore ordered by
Judge Bootlack that the court v\ould adjourn to meet in the evening
at 6 o'clock.
" Is Dr. Haworth here ? " said Mr. Dunn.
" Yes, sir," said Dr. Haworth, coming out of the crowd.
"I will call you next, Doctor," said Mr. Dunn; "and now I'll
go and look up that toddy. Are you going my way, Judge ? "
X.
DR. HAWORTH'S TESTIMONY.
IF the court-room was a striking spectacle during the morning
session it was much more striking at night.
When Judge Bootlack, in a thoroughly comfortable state of mind
and body, took his seat on the bench it was already dark, and can-
dles had been lit. One had been placed in front of his Honor, light-
ing up his ruby nose ; another beside the clerk, and two or three on
the desk in front of the counsel for the accused. In the great room
they made only a feeble glimmer, however, and outside the circle of
light there was half darkness.
In this half darkness moved to and fro the densely packed crowd.
From time to time a murmur rose from it. The dusky faces were
full of expectation. The officers of the court could scarcely make
their way. From this mass, undulating to and fro, no one could
have been dragged out it seemed if he or she had fainted and was
in danger of suffocation.
The court was opened, and Mr. Dunn with a cheerful counte-
nance called Dr. Haworth.
Dr. Haworth at once came forward and was sworn, after which
he took up a position facing the jury. His expression was composed,
and he was clad as usual in a neat and unassuming manner. He
glanced around him naturally and was observed to fix his eyes for
a moment intently upon Col. Ross, who, seated behind his counsel,
returned the look with the same intentness.
" Your name is Dr. Haworth ? " said Mr. Dunn, leaning back in
his arm-chair.
" It is the name I call myself by," was the reply.
" What is your real name ? "
2IO DR. IIAVfORTirS TESTIMONY.
" Henry Haworth Duels," said Dr. Haworth in his composed
voice.
" Ah ! Ducis ! Henry Haworth Ducts ? "
" Yes ; I am the only son of Henry Ducis, who was convicted of
the murder of James Maurice and died of misery and despair in con-
sequence of that conviction."
The crowd moved to and fro, and a vague sound rose from it
then there was silence again.
As Dr. Haworth replied to the question he turned his head
slowly, fixed his eyes upon Col. Ross, who had grown suddenly pale,
and said :
" My name will probably explain the interest I take in this case,
and why I have used every exertion to bring the real murderers of
James Maurice to trial and punishment."
" Yes," said Mr. Dunn quietly, " but your statement is an extra-
ordinary one, to say the least of it."
" I was aware that it would surprise the jury."
" If your name is really Ducis, why do you call yourself Ha-
worth ? "
" It was the family name of my mother."
" Well, that partially explains the fact of its adoption ; but why
not bear your own name, Ducis ? It is an honorable name there
are very few people who believe that it is not."
" I have a good reason."
" What is it ? "
"My father's command as he was dying."
A profound silence followed the words. The vast audience did
not move a muscle.
" As he was dying your father, Mr. Henry Ducis ? "
" Yes : it was his last injunction to me."
Mr. Dunn seemed to reflect for a moment on this singular re-
sponse of the witness. He then said :
" This is all rather strange, Doctor tell us about it. It would
be better, I suppose, to leave you to tell your story in your own way,
and not to worry you with questions. My learned brother or
brethren, as there are two on the other side will take care of that
part of the business. I will ask you, therefore, to tell the jury all
the circumstances, as I need not say they will affect the value of
your testimony."
" I will do so if the jury wish."
DR. HA WORTH'S TESTIMONY. 2 II
It was not doubtful what the jury wished. They were looking
at him with the deepest interest and curiosity, like the whole audi-
ence. Even the counsel for the defense exhibited unmistakable sur-
prise. Col. Ross was behind then) in the deep shadow and his face
was thus hidden.
" I think the jury will like to hear all about it," said Air. Dunn,
"in a matter-of-fact manner. " So go ahead, Doctor. You are the
sen, you say, of Hemy Ducis, convicted twenty years ago of the
murder of 'Mr. Maurice ? "
"Yes, sir. He had no other children," said Dr. Haworth, "and
as my mother was dead I was his only companion. I was at the
time about fourteen years of age, and the natural result of intimate
association with a person of my father's character was a very great
devotion to him."
" Everybody will understand that," said Mr. Dunn. "I was not
acquainted with Mr. Ducis, but I have heard the highest opinion of
him expressed by all who knew him."
" Including the Maurice family," said Uncle Tim in a distinct
tone from his place in the crowd.
Mr. Sparrow hopped to his feet.
" I protest against these interruptions ! " he cried, looking indig-
nant.
"Well," said Mr. Dunn lazily, "they are rather irregular, but I,
for one, in my character of a citizen of this county am glad to hear
that the family of the murdered man scout the idea that he was put
to death by a man like Henry Ducis."
"Hem!" said Judge Bootlack, with dignity; "the witness will
continue his testimony."
" Unless my friend over the way would prefer to have him muz-
zled," said Mr. Dunn with a sarcastic smile. " You can go on, Doc-
tor."
Dr. Haworth had quietly waited and now resumed his testimony.
" I have been asked to explain," he said, " the grounds for my
adoption of the name of Haworth instead of my proper name, and
I understand the jury to wish information on that subject, as the
fact affects my testimony."
The jurymen nodded, and Mr. Sparrow subsided in great dis-
gust.
" I will continue then," said Dr. Haworth composedly. " I was
fourteen years old and living with my father on his estate in the
2 1 2 OR- HA WOR TIPS TES TIMON V.
lower end of this county when the murder of Mr. Maurice took place.
I first heard of it from the servants if there is any startling- news
they discover it quickly. What I heard was that, on the night be-
fore, Mr. Maurice had been murdered in his bed by some unknown
person, with the design of robbing him it was supposed."
" What you heard is not testimony," cried the irrepressible Spar-
row.
" Good heavens ! " said Mr. Dunn, " are we in a court of law or
a Readjuster meeting ? I have heard of a debating society in which
the rule was that only four people should talk at once, but
Thus extinguished, Mr. Sparrow subsided, with muttered pro-
tests, and Dr. Haworth continued :
" As I informed the jury, the intelligence of the murder reached
me through the servants on the following morning. My father was
absent. On the day before he had ridden to Sinclair Station to pur-
chase some fertilizers, and, as the place was distant, had remained
all night the night of the murder at the house of a friend. He
only returned on the following evening, too late to ride to Maurice-
wood, which he expressed a strong desire to do. And I remember
his expressions of horror. He was deeply depressed at having quar-
reled with Mr. Maurice a few days before. They had been friends,
and his old friend's death moved him deeply. On the next clay he
ordered his horse to go to Mauricewoocl, but gave up the design ;
his presence there might not be welcome ; and he shut himself up
in his library. In the evening he was arrested for the murder.
" A constable came and showed him the warrant, issued by a
magistrate who had always been unfriendly to him. At sight of
the paper my father exclaimed : ' Good God ! to charge me with the
murder of James Maurice ! It is monstrous ! ' But there was noth-
ing to say there was the warrant of arrest and the constable was
waiting. From horror my father passed to composure he was a
man of great gentleness and sweetness of temper, but of the utmost
resolution of character. He therefore said no more, and was driven
to Abbeyville, where he was examined the quarrel between him-
self and Mr. James Maurice, together with the expressions used by
himself were testified to and he was committed for trial at the
next court by the magistrate who had issued the warrant. Of the
trial it is unnecessary for me to speak. He was convicted upon evi-
dence purely circumstantial, and though the jury were unanimous,
it was said, in the opinion that he ought to be pardoned were even
DR. HA WORTH'S TESTIMONY.
213
ready to sign a petition to that effect he was not pardoned he
died of shame at the stain on his good name."
Dr. Haworth stopped. His voice had not faltered for a moment
in telling his painful story, or his eyes lost their expression of som-
ber composure.
" And that stain on your father's name accounts for your drop-
ping it ? " said Mr. Dunn.
" No ; I should never have called myself by any other name
than his own if he had not laid his command upon me. I saw him
every day in jail, and he discussed without reserve every feature of
the case. He cared nothing for the Governor's pardon, he said ;
his name would remain dishonored. He had been the victim of
some unknown enemy who hated him and meant to destroy him
who was skillful, daring, unrelenting and probably rich, since he had
not struck, himself, it seemed, but by the hands of others. This con-
viction became rooted in my father's mind, and he never lost sight
of it. He had the presentiment of his own death, and said to me
one day in a low tone : ' You are my only hope. The name of
Ducis will remain dishonored unless you remove the stain from it.'
He then explained his wishes. The real murderer or murderers of
Mr. Maurice would never be discovered if the search for them was
pursued publicly. It was necessary to do so privately. His in-
junction, therefore, was that I should dispose of the family estate,
leave the neighborhood, assume the name of my mother and ac-
quire a complete education as a preparation for the work before me.
Thus trained I was to return and quietly pursue the investigation.
The name Haworth was unfamiliar here, since my mother's family
was from a distant state it was, therefore, probable that no one
would suspect the object of my coming. I promised my father
that I would obey his command he gave me his blessing and
three days afterward he was dead."
Dr. Haworth looked composedly at Col. Ross, but behind the
pupils of his eyes, so to say, there was a latent fire which contra-
dicted his calm tones.
" I have explained why I call myself Haworth and not Ducis,"
he added coldly. " It will- remove the impression that I am a name-
less impostor. I was denounced as one in an anonymous letter
sent by the person who corresponds through hollow trees."
All eyes were turned toward Col. Ross, but he bore the ordeal
without changing color he even looked a little defiant.
2U DR. HAVfORTirs TESTIMONY.
" Well, to end this explanation," said Dr. Haworth, coolly " I
went away and grew up, and became an engineer in South America
Some years afterward I returned to this place, and endeavored to
discover who had really murdered James Maurice. I completely
-there were no traces whatever-and the name of Duns re-
mained dishonored. Then I went back to South America, where I
c succeeded in amassing some money, risked it in speculation
^ T ' " Ch - THat WaS What l wanted ' * h *d satisfied
myself that the man I was looking for was rich and powerful. And
t^ the* I u had s . d r i ? S ?, Vered what l thou S h t a clew-shall I explain that
" Certainly. Let all the facts come out," said Mr. Dunn " I
defy my friends over the way to stop you. If they attempt to do so
1 am ready-to meet them."
Mr. Sparrow gesticulated defiance and was about to bound up
but Mr. Shirley stopped him."
"It is always a sign of a bad case," said Mr. Dunn in d philo-
sophic tone, "when there is an objection to have all the facts stated
The Commonwealth does not object on this or any other occasion
I am myself much interested in Dr. Haworth's testimony, and
would like to know about that clew. What do you mean, Doctor ? "
I mean," said Dr. Haworth, "that I found a boy running
about in the streets of Lima and discovered that he was the son of
John Maurice of Mauricewood."
" The youth Baptiste or Maurice ? "
" Yes ; I was falling into a sort of apathy, and had nearly de-
spaired of ever discovering anything. I had thrown myself into af-
fairs-fought, speculated and then retired, in disgust with all things
to a hacienda near Lima. The discovery of John Maurices son
agam put me on the scent of the murder. I will explain why. I
had taken him into my service because I was struck by his face-
it was the face of a gentleman, not a vagabond ; and hearing him
rnent.on, one day, the name of a half-breed woman, who had been
his nurse, I went and visited her near Callao. She told me every-
ung-he was the son of John Maurice and a Mademoiselle Las-
celles, whom he had married. There had been trouble between
husband and wife and Mr. Maurice left the country-and some
months aftenvard the boy was born. Soon afterward his mother
died, directing that he should be called Jean after his father The
priest who baptized him had added Baptiste, and the woman, whose
DR. II A WORTH'S TESTIMONY. 2 l$
name was Panza, had taken charge of him and brought him up,
concealing his name from him for fear he would be taken away from
her, as she had grown fond of him. As an evidence of his birth
she had his mother's wedding-ring, which I secured by appealing to
her avarice it has been produced."
"Yes," said Mr. Dunn.
" To finish. I thus found that I had taken into my service the
son of John Maurice, who was married a second time at Maurice-
wood on the very night of James Maurice's murder. Why had his
father quarreled with his mother ? I discovered. A fencing master
named Pedro Nunez, whom I knew informed me Mr. Maurice was
jealous. Col. Ross had been an admirer of Mrs. Maurice before
her marriage, and continued his attentions. Mr. Maurice thereupon
insulted him, wounded him in a duel with swords, and subsequently
left the country. His wife had died soon afterward the fact had,
no doubt, been reported to him and he had remarried."
Dr. Haworth paused and said :
" I am compelled to enter into these details to make myself un-
derstood."
" Continue," said Mr. Dunn.
" I wished to show how I came to connect Col. Ross with the
affairs of the Maurice family."
" Yes."
" The fact was established that he and John Maurice had been
enemies. He had been in this neighborhood just before the murder,
as I afterward discovered there was the material to work upon.
The difficulty was to reconcile the apparently honorable character
of Col. Ross with secret murder. An incident occurred which
changed my views. He invented or connived at a discreditable
trick to blow up a Peruvian steamer a ruse scarcely defensible
and we met personally in a fight which followed. After that I be-
gan to think that probably Col. Ross knew something about other
ruses among them that which ended in the conviction and death
of my father. Am I to go on ? "
" Yes let the whole come out. The jury wants to know the
facts."
" Very well," said Dr. Haworth, coolly. " I came to the United
States this autumn to resume my search for the murderer or mur-
derers of James Maurice."
The jury and audience had listened with profound attention to
2i6 DR. H 'A W 'OK Til CONCLUDES 7/7.9 TESTIMONY.
this long statement, looking now and then curiously toward Col.
Ross scarcely at the other accused persons. The testimony of
Dr. Haworth seemed to have no effect upon him. He neither low-
ered his eyes now, nor exhibited any emotion. And yet the testi-
mony going to convict him seemed to be approaching its climax.
In the midst of a deep silence Dr. Haworth resumed his testi-
mony.
XL
DR. HAWORTH CONCLUDES HIS TESTIMONY.
" I ARRIVED in New York this autumn," continued Dr. Haworth,
"and chanced to observe Col. Ross in a theater with the ladies
from Mauricewood. I was then sure of his presence in the United
States, of which I had been informed. Jean Baptiste Maurice, who
had preceded me to New York, also recognized him, and a few days
afterward I left the city with the youth and came to this neighbor-
hood under the name I had always borne, of Dr. Haworth."
" You did not go to Mauricewood ? "
" No to a house in the hills, ostensibly for the purpose of hunt-
ing. My real object, of course, was to make inquiries without ex-
citing suspicion, and to ascertain as much as possible about Col.
Ross and the Wilkins people, who I was now nearly certain, were
connected with the murder."
" A natural idea," said Mr. Dunn, " as they had been arrested
on the charge once before."
" I accordingly visited the house in the hills where these people
resided, and was satisfied of their guilt. The woman became agi-
tated when I spoke of a case in which a murderer had been con-
victed by the numbers on some stolen bank-notes and the look on
the face of the man was the hunted look. The evidence of Jean
Baptiste Maurice in reference to Col Ross' visit, and the allusions to
my object in coming to the neighborhood, is before the jury."
"Yes."
" I soon had a proof," continued Dr. Haworth, " that I was re-
garded as a suspicious character. I think I can state that I was fired
upon."
And he related the incident in the hills, with his visit to the
cabin afterwards.
DR. HA WORTH CONCLUDES HIS TESTIMONY.
217
"That was a little hazardous," he continued, "and I moved my
quarters. I had become acquainted with Mr. Timothy Maurice, and
accepted his invitation to visit Mauricewood, where it seems I was
made the object of special attention on the part of Miss Bums. I
do not wish to detain the jury with that comedy with the "some-
bodies," the anonymous letters, and night searches for papers let
that pass. I had a much more important subject to occupy my
thoughts the question who had murdered Mr. Maurice and suf-
fered my father to die dishonored, as the author of the crime. For
some time before I had convinced myself that I had made the dis-
covery."
Dr. Haworth paused for a moment. In the midst of a profound
silence he resumed his testimony.
" One day I requested Mr. Timothy Maurice to show me the
room at Mauricewood in which his brother had been murdered.
Col. Ross was present and entered the room with me. As he ex-
hibited little emotion I was fortified in my previous opinion that he
had not committed the murder."
At these words a buzz of astonishment ran through the crowd.
As Dr. Haworth 's testimony had seemed to lead straight to the
theory that Col. Ross was the guilty person the words he had just
uttered were a profound surprise.
" My inspection of the apartment had an important result, how-
ever," said Dr. Haworth. " I found concealed in the bed this gar-
rote, with which, I have no doubt, the murder was committed."
He drew from his pocket the cord and placed it upon the table
before Mr. Dunn, who looked at it with interest.
" The next step," Dr. Haworth continued, " was to ascertain
whether there were marks on Mr. Maurice's neck which supported
my theoiy. I paid a visit to Dr. Seabright, the family physician,
and nearly the first words he uttered were that James Maurice had
been strangled there were marks on his neck which could not
otherwise be accounted for."
" Dr. Seabright's testimony is to the same effect," said Mr. Dunn.
" He rendered me important assistance in other ways," said Dr.
Haworth, " since he enabled me to secure possession of the leaf of
the ledger at Sinclair's, recording my father's purchase of fertilizers.
Here it is."
He drew it from his breast and unfolded it.
" The apparent date of the purchase is May 8, the day after the
10
2fS DR. HAWORTH DISCOVERS A LIKENESS.
murder. The original entry has been falsified the ink discharged
from the paper by an infusion of oxalic acid. That may be tested
by the tongue, as oxalic acid is extremely sour."
One of the jury took the paper and touched it with his tongue.
" It's sour enough," he said, " but I don't believe there was
anything else written there."
" So be it," said Dr. Haworth. " Unfortunately the question
was not raised on the trial of Mr. Ducis. This sheet of paper de-
stroyed him."
" You think that date is forged," said Mr. Dunn. " Well, who
is the forger ? If you know, tell the jury."
" I do not know the name of the forger, but I am certain I know
who he was."
" Who was he? "
" He was the man who murdered James Maurice, whether he
was present on the night of the 7th of May or not ; who conceived
the design, brought about the result, and took the steps that brought
the crime home to an innocent person."
"A curious affair altogether," said Mr. Dunn. "Then you
think that the alteration in this entry the hammer and glove found
near the spot of the murder all was a conspiracy to destroy an in-
nocent man, as you say ? "
" Yes ; to my own mind, at least, the circumstances exclude
every other hypothesis, as you say in your profession, sir."
Mr. Dunn reflected.
" I should like to get at your precise idea," he said, "and I think
the jury would like to hear it. As the late Mr. Seward said to Mr.
Stephens, it seems to have a philosophic basis."
Mr. Shirley rose and objected. His point was that the private
opinions of a witness had nothing to do with a legal investigation,
and he urged the view with great force.
Mr. Dunn's reply was equally forcible. The impressions pro-
duced on the mind of a witness by the facts coming to his knowl-
edge are a legitimate subject of inquiry. What the jury wanted
was all the facts and circumstances connected with this case. The
rules of evidence were intended to guard the accused to afford him
a fair trial not to cover up the facts. The witness was intimately
acquainted with the details of the case now before the jury, and
might legitimately be asked his convictions resulting from that in-
timate knowledge. The jury were at liberty to agree with them
DR. II A WORTH CONCLUDES HIS TESTIMONY.
219
or to disagree with them to accept them, or to laugh at them as
absurd.
Judge Bootlack thought the question was improper but was
not certain that it was not entirely proper. In his opinion it ought
not to be asked but on the whole, and as the result of reflection,
he would permit the inquiry to be propounded.
Whereupon Mr. Shirley, much disgusted, said he would except,
and sat down.
" Well, now," said Mr. Dunn, " give the jury your idea of the
murder, Doctor. It will not take long, I suppose ? "
" I can do so, briefly. Here is my conviction. The person in-
tended to be murdered was not James Maurice, but his nephew,
John Maurice, the supposed occupant of the room on the night of
the murder. The actual murderer was the tool of a person more
skillful who had a private vengeance to gratify. This tool was
bought, and under orders, probably from his employer, arranged
everything to throw the guilt upon an innocent man Henry Ducis.
The plot fully succeeded, and the real, unknown author of all was
never even suspected. It is for the jury to say who they think he
is as to his tools, they defied conviction ; the whole had been too
well planned. Arrested on suspicion, they were discharged for want
of evidence. There was absolutely no proof of their guilt. One
only was shown to have been present at or about the time of the
murder, but that person was a woman, and women rarely murder
men they may rob, but shrink from bloodshed."
" Well, that is tolerably plain. An unknown person planned the
crime, but this particular unknown did not personally commit it.
Who did ? "
" I can only recall to your mind the testimony of the witness
Jean Baptiste Maurice as to what he overheard at the house in th
hills my own as to the bullet fired at me and the identification
of the messenger who carried the letters written to and by Miss
Burns."
" Well, that does look rather ugly," said Mr. Dunn, " and all
the parties are equally responsible. Of course, if two persons were
actually present at the time of the murder both are guilty as prin-
cipals whether the crime was committed by one or both. That's
law, I believe ? " said Mr. Dunn to Mr. Shirley.
^ " Yes, sir," said that gentleman.
L " In the absence of evidence," added Mr. Dunn, "there is only
220 DR. HA WORTH CONCLUDES HIS TESTIMONY.
one course to pursue to procure a pardon for one of them and
summon him or her to. testify to the facts."
Mr. Dunn looked at Wilkins and the woman. On their stolid
countenances it was impossible to observe the least traces of emo-
tion.
" But all that can wait. We are in no hurry and have the whole
term before us," said Mr. Dunn. " I have only a few more ques-
tions to ask the witness. You say that you had then made up your
mind on the subject of the murder, Doccor ? "
" To a certain point yes."
" That Mr. Ducis was absolutely innocent, and certain other per-
sons were guilty ? "
" Yes."
" Well, it seems to me that under these circumstances the time
to act had come. You had been shot at you had information of
that night visit in the hills you had been denounced in anonymous
letters you found that garrote in the bed, a peculiar instrument for
the commission of murder, which necessarily pointed to some per-
son familiar with the methods of death employed in Spanish coun-
tries you had all this to go upon, and as you have explained had
an ardent desire to bring the real offenders to justice. Why, then,
I say, did you not take steps leading to a judicial investigation ? "
" The steps were taken."
" To connect specific people with the murder of Mr. James Mau-
rice ? "
" Yes."
" What steps ? "
" I procured warrants for the nrrest of three persons Col. Ross,
Wilkins and his wife, the former servant or housekeeper at Maurice-
wood, who was seen coming out of the room on the night of the
murder."
" That was during my absence from home attending the Circuit
Court, I suppose. The warrants were issued, you say ? "
' Yes, sir; by Prof. Lesner, a magistrate of the neighborhood."
" Prof. Lesner that fine old fellow ? I thought he was a re-
tired scholar. Yes, I remember now that he was elected a justice
recently. Well, I am glad party politics still allow us a few honor-
able magistrates. So the old Professor did issue the warrants ? "
" Yes."
" Why was no action taken ? "
DR. II A WORTH CONCLUDES HIS TESTIMONY, 221
" The parties were warned and escaped."
" Warned ? Escaped ? "
" Yes," said Dr. Haworth, " the officer to whom the warrants
were addressed was either suborned by some one having an interest
to avoid the inquiry, or had private reasons of his own. The fact
remains that the return ' not found ' was made by the officer, or his
deputy. The three persons had disappeared."
" Well, that is rather a serious charge, Doctor, against an officer
of the law."
" The charge is just. I was present when the return was made
to Prof. Lesner and can testify that he was extremely indignant."
" A serious matter. If constables are to warn people there is
an end of justice. Are you sure of your statement ? "
" Prof. Lesner will corroborate it. I am aware that it is serious
to the accused as well as to the constable. Innocent people do
not fly from justice."
" I shall ask for a subpena for Prof. Lesner, your Honor," said
Mr. Dunn ; and, as I wish to avoid delay, I want it served to-night,
so that we may go on in the morning. If a constable warned the
accused, and they avoided arrest, it will be an ugly thing for all
parties."
The subpena was then made out, and placed in the hands of an
officer, who was directed to deliver it at once to Prof. Lesner. He
would be examined the first thing when the court met in the morn-
ing.
Mr. Dunn then said to the witness :
" I understand you to state that you procured these warrants for
the arrest of the parties, and they fled from justice ? Col. Ross did
not fly or if he did he flew back."
"Yes," said Dr. Haworth, looking fixedly at Col. Ross, "after
the arrest of his confederates."
" I heard he was called to Washington to testify before a com-
mittee, and returned at once after getting through I throw out the
remark for the benefit of the defense, and hope they will not object
to it as hearsay evidence ! "
" He was in Washington for that purpose," said Dr. Haworth,
" and returned for a purpose."
" What purpose ? "
" Ask him. An accused can testify under certain circumstances."
" Not in this Commonwealth certainly not in this case."
222 DR. II A WORTH CONCLUDES HIS TESTIMONY.
" Then I decline to testify for him others may do so if they
wish Mr. Maurice or his family."
Col. Ross suddenly flushed. His instinct of gentleman doubtless
revolted from a public exposure of the incident of the death register
and the scene at Mauricewood.
" Very well," said Mr. Dunn. " Prof. Lesner, I have no doubt,
will tell us whether there was or was not an evasion of justice. Such
a thing is prima facie evidence of guilt, of course. As you say that
Mr. Timothy Maurice or his family can throw some light on Col.
Ross' return to meet this charge, I will summon them all to testify
to-morrow. I have no further questions for the witness, gentlemen."
Dr. Haworth was subjected to a cross-examination which lasted
until nearly midnight. Every link in his statement was subjected by
Mr. Shirley to the most determined attack, and Mr. Dunn, who was
generally so careless, was observed to lean forward and listen with
absorbing attention.
He was studying his profession. A master of criminal law was
teaching him viva voce more than he had ever learned in books, and
when Mr. Sparrow chirped and hopped, interrupting the master, Mr.
Dunn scowled at him.
At last the cross-examination ended Dr. Haworth's testimony
had not been shaken in the remotest degree. If the jury were to
decide the case upon it, they at least knew what weight to attach
to it.
Mr. Dunn then rose and moved an adjournment, which seemed
to be a welcome proposition to everybody ; and the court was ac-
cordingly adjourned to meet at 1 1 next morning.
As Mr. Dunn was putting on his hat with a yawn Judge Boot-
lack descended from the bench.
" It's too late to-night for that game of poker, Judge," said Mr.
Dunn, " but I have a question to submit for your Honor's decision."
Judge Bootlack looked puzzled and smiled uneasily Mr. Dunn
was always quizzing.
" Is it ever too late at night to indulge in a nightcap ? "
Judge Bootlack looked radiant.
" Never ! " he exclaimed ; " the court is with you there, sir ! "
COL. ROSS EXPLAINS.
XII.
COL. ROSS EXPLAINS.
WHEN the court adjourned it was nearly midnight. That por-
tion of the audience residing outside of Abbeyville prepared to re-
turn home, and among them were Dr. Haworth, Mr. Tim Maurice
and Jean.
As Dr. Haworth was about to mount his horse a sen-ant came
up to him and handed him a note, written in pencil. It contained
only these lines :
" I should be glad to have a few moments' private conversation
with Gen. Ducis on matters of some importance. He will find me
awaiting him at the town jail. FERDINAND Ross."
The messenger was waiting for a reply, and going into the tavern
in front of which the note had been handed him, Dr. Haworth wrote :
" I will visit Col. Ross at once as he requests.
" HENRY HA\VORTH Ducis."
The servant took back the reply, and Dr. Haworth then informed
his friends of Col. Ross' request.
" We will wait until you return, Doctor," said Mr. Tim Maurice.
" It will be unnecessary. I may be detained."
" Don't send me away, Excellency ! " said Jean.
" It is useless for you to remain. I wish you to return with Mr.
Maurice."
And as Jean Baptiste never argued with his master when he
spoke in that tone, he set out for Mauricewood in company with
Mr. Maurice.
Dr. Haworth then went straight to the jail, which was not far
from the court-house, and knocking at the door, which was heavily
studded with iron, found it open immediately.
" Col. Ross wishes to see me," he said.
" Dr. Haworth ? " asked the man.
" Yes."
"All right, sir. I'll take you to the Colonel's room the very
best room in the house."
224
COL. JIOSS EXPLAINS.
The jail was a house, it seems, and the prisoner occupied a room,
which was an indication of the fact that Col. Ross was not regarded
as a common criminal to be confined in a vulgar cell.
The room was really a room not a cell at all. In fact it was
the jailer's own. He and his wife had promptly vacated it on the
appearance of their distinguished lodger ; had done far more indeed
for, prompted by feminine sympathizers, they had draped the grimy
windows with white curtains. Easy-chairs had been provided. There
was a handsome table, covered with books and newspapers, and in
the fireplace shone a cheerful blaze. The floor was carpeted, and
everything was neat down to the snow-white bed, looking very in-
viting with its fringed pillows in the light of the argand burner.
Col. Ross was seated in an easy-chair, smoking a cigar. His
appearance was elegant, and he was perfectly composed. At the
entrance of Dr. Haworth he rose and bowed :
" I am pleased to see you, Gen. Ducis," he said. " You will find
the seat opposite an agreeable one."
Dr. Haworth bowed and sat down, Col. Ross also resuming his
seat.
" I regret to put you to inconvenience by requesting an interview
at so late an hour, as you must be fatigued," said Col. Ross.
" I am not at all fatigued, sir," replied Dr. Haworth formally,
"and the hour is of no importance."
" You were probably surprised at receiving my note ? "
"Yes."
" The surprise was natural."
" It had not occurred to me that you would take pleasure in a
personal interview with myself," said Dr. Haworth in the same cold
and formal tone.
" To be frank," said Col. Ross, " up to a certain moment I should
have desired nothing less than such a personal interview."
" Up to a certain moment, sir ? "
" Up to the moment when you informed the court that your real
name was not Dr. Haworth, but Henry Haworth Ducis the son of
an innocent gentleman convicted through my agency, as you sup-
pose, of a cowardly murder."
Dr. Haworth looked at the speaker with an air of cold surprise.
Was this effrontery or trick ?
" I do not understand you, sir," he said.
Col. Ross had thrown his cigar in the fire, and was leaning back
COL. ROSS EXPLAINS.
22$
thoughtfully in his chair. After a moment he said, looking coolly
at his visitor :
" I see you regard me as a wretch and the real murderer of your
father. Well, you are mistaken. I had nothing to do with the
murder of James Maurice, nor the miserable plot of fixing the crime
on Mr. Ducis."
Dr. Haworth said nothing ; his fixed look was the only indication
that he had heard the words.
" I understand perfectly," said Col. Ross, preserving his deliber-
ate tone ; " you do not believe me. Very well ; before you go away
to-night you will be satisfied. The object of this interview is to
satisfy you. As long as I regarded you as an unknown stranger
an enemy pursuing me in order to destroy me I owed you nothing.
From the moment when I discovered who you really are, I owed
you everything. Your answer in court to-day, ' I am the son of
Henry Ducis,' struck me like a blow. I was not aware that Mr.
Ducis had a son, and I trust you now begin to understand. I am
not altogether the wretch that you think me, and even venture to
call myself a gentleman, in spite of appearances. I give you the
proof. I will tell you everything connected with the murder of
James Maurice, if you think it will interest )jou."
" I shall be glad to hear your statement, sir," said Dr. Haworth,
unable to conceal his emotion.
Col. Ross leaned back in his chair and said in a composed voice :
" Suppose I say a word first of myself. The subject may not in-
terest you or excite your sympathy to any very great extent, but it is
necessary to inflict a sort of preface upon you to make myself under-
stood. We are not in a court of justice now, and I can say what-
ever I care to say. I see you are interested you will find that my
brief narrative, egotistical as it may appear, will elucidate this whole
affair. I will therefore speak of some events of my life, and hope to
remove a few impressions from your mind which are not flattering
to me."
Dr. Haworth bowed, gravely fixing his eyes as before upon those
of the speaker.
" I was born in this country and went to South America as a
midshipman, and afterward became a lieutenant," said Col. Ross,
" My ship was detained at Callao, which is not far from Lima, as
you are aware, and after the habit of young naval officers I visited
the place for amusement. A traveling opera company was perform-
226 COL. ROSS EXPLAINS.
ing at the time in the City of Lima, and the prima donna was a
beautiful French girl, Marie Antoinette Lascelles. To be brief, I
fell very much in love with her and had reason to believe the sentiment
returned when she made the acquaintance of Mr. John Maurice and
began to cool. He was a young, man from my own neighborhood
here and at the time was attache or secretary of the American lega-
tion. He was extremely handsome and had a certain glance and
tone of the voice which women cannot resist ; and, not to make a
long story of it, he supplanted me with poor Antoinette. I say poor
because she is dead, and I never had the remotest ill-feeling toward
her. I cannot say as much of my sentiment in the direction of Mr.
John Maurice. To be frank, I hated him as a man will hate an-
other who robs him of the love of a woman. I said nothing, how-
ever, at the time. Things took their course. I went on a cruise,
and when I got back to Lima they were married.
" Well," continued Col. Ross, " I had, of course, nothing to say
to that, and said nothing. I did not regard it as absolutely neces-
sary, however, that I should completely drop the acquaintance of
Mrs. Antoinette Maurice, as we had formerly been friends. She
herself indicated no desire that her old friends should give her up.
She was fond of admiration, though one of the best and purest per-
sons in the world, and accepted an amount of attention from gentle-
men more customary in France, perhaps, than in America. As I
was among these gentlemen, our former relations, unfortunately,
made people talk, and Mr. John Maurice, still more unfortunately,
had one great fault he was jealous and suspicious to the echo. In
a word, he grew angry, offered me a gross insult, or to be more pre-
cise, slapped my face and in a duel which followed nearly put an
end to me. I had a long and dangerous illness, and some time
afterward heard curious intelligence. Mr. Maurice had grown
more and more jealous of everybody, and at last convinced himself
that his wife was unfaithful to him in consequence of which he
had deserted her and South America together. She also had dis-
appeared none of her old friends ever saw her and it was only
long afterward that I heard that she had died at Lima in some ob-
scure part of the town where she had lived unknown after her deser-
tion by her husband.
" That is all of that part of my story, sir," said Col. Ross. " It
was necessary to state the facts, since a great deal hinges upon
them. Right or wrong, the result with me was a good wholesome
COL. ROSS EXPLAINS.
227
hatred for Mr. John Maurice who had supplanted me, outraged me,
painfully wounded me, and left a good girl, whom I loved, to die in
poverty and misery. Whether natural or not, I had the sentiment
a genuine hatred of the man, and a very strong desire to be even
with him. Is that intelligible ? "
"Yes, sir," said Dr. Haworth.
" Very well ; that was the state of affairs when I found myself
back in this country and neighborhood. Mr. John Maurice had re-
turned some time before and was paying his addresses to Miss Ellen
Maurice his first wife being presumably dead. I say presumably,
as to myself, for I did not know the fact at the time. I met him
now and then, and had half determined to select the opportunity to
insult him and force him to fight me it would be an excellent time,
just as he was going to be married for that fact was soon an-
nounced. I did not do so it really looked too scandalous ! Or say,
if you prefer, that I was afraid that he had taught me a lesson at
Lima. It is not true, as I have never been afraid of anybody, but
you may adopt the theory if you fancy as an explanation of the fact
that I did not interfere with his marriage or himself in any manner.
" What I did do, however, was injudicious and had unfortunate
results. I will state the whole case against myself in the plainest
and fairest manner, leaving you to believe me or not as you choose,
and to form your own opinion.
" At the time when Mr. John Maurice paid his addresses to his
cousin, Miss Maurice, she had another suitor who was crazily in love
with her. It is unnecessary to tell you his name at present call
him Brown or Jones if you fancy it will save trouble. It was said
that Miss Maurice had been engaged to him he said so and had
jilted him for the handsome John Maurice. I do not believe that,
but it is unimportant. He so stated, and as I knew Mr. Brown in-
timately and had a sympathy for jilted people, we exchanged views
on the subject of Mr. Maurice, whom I liked no better than he did,
and often talked about the approaching marriage and festivities at
Mauricewood. These conversations took place generally at my
house, which I had inherited on the death of my father and Mr.
Brown would walk up and down the floor raging and grinding his
teeth. He was a cowardly cur, but, like that sort of animal, very
dangerous if it was made plain to him that he could use his teeth
without personal risk. Another of his traits was that drink embold-
ened him, and I often amused myself by urging it upon him in order
228 ~~ " COL - XOSS EXPLAINS.
to listen to his oaths and threats of vengeance. One day I rernenv.
her saying : ' If you hate him so, why don't you fight him ? He is
a brave man and will not refuse you an opportunity to right your
wrongs.' 'Because he would kill me!' was the reply. 'Then go
and murder him,' I said, laughing, 'on the very day of his marriage
stab him to death put arsenic in his porridge, or steal on him in
slumber and garrote htm it is a pleasant death, they say.' He said
nothing and went away, and on the next day had occasion to write
to me on some matter of business. The note found me dining w : th
some friends we were all a little elevated with champagne and,
begging my friends to excuse me for a moment, I went into my
library and scribbled off a hasty reply to the note. Having answered
the business portion I wrote these words. I remembered them
afterward, and have never ceased to remember them since :
" ' How comes on our affair ? Are we going to submit to every-
thing ? Never we will do for him with knife, bludgeon, hammer,
or poison. But, on the whole, I think we had better garrote him in
his sleep. That will put a quietus to our dear friend at Maurice-
wood ! '
" I signed the note with my name," continued Col. Ross, " and
a day or two afterward rejoined my ship. You know what followed.
On the night of Miss Maurice's marriage some one entered the
chamber supposed to be that of the bride and groom and committed
the murder there. In the darkness Mr. James Maurice was taken
for his nephew, and first garroted and then finished with the ham-
mer. The hammer was really the property of Mr. Ducis, and had
been accidentally left by him at Mauricewood on a recent visit, and
secreted by the assassin. Finding that it had been identified, and
that his own glove, which dropped, was also supposed to belong to
Mr. Ducis, the wretch hastened to destroy the proof of the alibi at
Sinclair's, which he effected without discovery while the back of the
merchant was turned. Then all duly followed as I afterward ascer-
tained. Mr. Ducis was arrested, tried, and convicted on the circum-
stantial evidence, and the real criminal has never been discovered."
Dr. Haworth had listened without uttering a word his eyes still
fixed upon the face of Col. Ross. He now said coolly :
" You have not told me the name of this real criminal, sir."
" I wish to reserve it for the end, as a pleasant finale," said Col.
Ross. " I have nearly done now, and will proceed to explain a few
matters of more recent date which must have puzzled you."
THE MAN. 229
XIII.
THE MAN.
COL. Ross carefully removed a speck of dust from his coat sleeve
with the point of hir, white finger and said :
" So much for the events which occurred in this neighborhood
twenty years ago. I was not present at the time of the murder and
knew nothing of it or of the trial of Mr. Ducis until some months
afterward. I had been ordered on a cruise and my ship sailed for
the Pacific before the catastrophe took place. Upon this question
of dates you are not obliged to accept my statement, as the records
of the Naval Department will satisfy any doubt you may have on
the subject.
" Well, to come to latter times now and what has recently taken
pkce in this neighborhood. I will stop a moment, however, to say-
that I really had nothing whatever to do with that torpedo-boat affair
in Callao harbor. I was only informed of it at the moment when
the boat drifted toward your steamer, and remonstrated against it
as utterly indefensible, but without avail. Of course you can believe
me or not, as you please. I am speaking the truth. I can under-
stand why you thought it my own device with your theory of my
character, and that you placed to my credit that shot fired at you
in the hills by Wilkins. I was not the author of the torpedo project,
of the shot, or even the anonymous letter sent to Mauricewood, de-
spised as it ought to have been.
" I did employ that girl to watch you and ascertain your move-
ments that is to say, I commissioned a rascally valet brought with
me from South America to keep me advised of all your proceedings.
He engaged the girl Burns through her friend, Miss Larkins, and I
made no objection, so I say I employed her. The object was to
ascertain who you were and why you were so curious about the old
affair of the murder. The anonymous letter, I repeat, was the in-
genious device of Miss Larkins in response, it seems, to Miss Bums'
suggestion. I declare upon my honor you are at liberty to believe
me or not that I knew nothing about it."
Col. Ross paused. A slight depression of the corners of Dr.
Haworth's moi'th made him flush.
" You doubt my statement ! " he exclaimed. " You are dis-
posed to laugh when I speak of honor / You are thinking of that
230
THE MAN.
leaf from the death register containing the date of Antoinette Mau-
rice's death. Well, sir, I have nothing to reply to that. I bow my
head with shame, but not as low as you think I should, perhaps
for I did not falsify that record. I did not lay a plan to deceive and
carry it out. The date was printed incorrectly in the commissioner's
report, which I found at Washington you may go and look at it,
I telegraphed at once to Lima to ascertain the truth, and my agent,
the subtlest of Spaniards, must have conceived that I wished to have
the mortuary register support the public document. He made the
erasure and substitution, beyond a doubt, as he abstracted the leaf
after you had obtained your certificate."
" Well," said Dr. Haworth briefly.
Col. Ross looked at him and said gloomily :
" After all, you are right ! It -was a low business to offer that
paper as the price of Miss Maurice's hand ! I believed it to be genu-
ine that Antoinette Maurice died in October, 1 860, after her hus-
band's second marriage that Miss Maurice was not born in wed-
lock ! I meant to burn the record in Mrs. Maurice's presence ! And
if I attempted to make my profit of it before doing so, you, at least,
sir, ought to have some charity for my weakness ! "
Col. Ross looked down with contracted brows ; then he resumed
moodily :
" I regret that if it were to do over again I would rather cut
off my hand ! To return to the main affair. You came to this
country to unearth these old matters, and I saw from the first that
you were a dangerous adversary. I was in the real murderer's
power and he was in the power of the Pitts- Wilkins woman, who
had reached Mr. Maurice's room in time to see him as he escaped,
and to steal the money. She had it beneath her apron when she
came out into the hall. I say that the murderer he was not Wil-
kins had me in his power, or at least my good name. He had
kept the note in which I had spoken of the murder of ' our friend at
Mauricewood ' with a hammer or by garroting and that note, meant
as a jest, was signed with my name. It might not hang me as an
accomplice it would fix an ineffaceable stain upon my name. Do
you wonder then that I was interested in shielding all these parties
who could point their fingers at me as their confederate ? The
murderer denied having kept the note I knew that he lied. He
had not only kept it, but informed the woman Wilkins of it, and the
price of her silence was the enjoyment of the stolen money. Thus
COL. ROSS OA r THE SUBJECT OF RATTLESNAKES. 231
I was tangled in the detestable net took night rides was watched
in my turn, until one day, weary of all this, you did what the son of
Henry Ducis had the right to do you obtained warrants for the
arrest of the whole crew, myself included !
" I was notified that the warrants had been made out and that
they would be served on me in the morning ; and yielding to cow-
ardly apprehension found that I had business in Washington ! The
other wretches were also warned and disappeared. I only differed
from them in one thing, that shame and my pride of gentleman
made me come back here to face the charge ! I was innocent, in
intent at least, of the cleafh of James Maurice and Henry Ducis. As
I had never meant to advise anybody to commit murder, I had at
least the luxury of a good conscience ! I intended to fight it out to
the end, and keep back that foolish note if possible ; but I never in-
tended to hang in place of my worthy friend, the real murderer, who
evidently means to sacrifice me ! "
" Is he living ? " said Dr. Haworth, looking at Col. Ross intently.
" Living ? Certainly. You are acquainted I believe intimately
acquainted with him."
" / acquainted with the murderer of James Maurice and my
father ! "
" Necessarily, since you have applied to him to assist you in your
laudable object of relieving your father's name from the stain upon
it."
" / appealed to him ? "
" And he promptly aided you, and issued the warrant for my
arrest only he privately informed me an hour afterwards that I had
better have business elsewhere. In other words," said Col. Ross
coolly, " the wretch who murdered James Maurice and your father,
Henry Ducis, was the excellent Prof. Lesner."
XIV.
COL. ROSS ON THE SUBJECT OF RATTLESNAKES.
DR. HAWORTH looked at Col. Ross with the profoundest aston-
ishment.
" Prof. Lesner ! " he exclaimed.
" Certainly Prof. Lesner. I did not tell you his name before, as
XOSS ON THE SUBJECT OF RATTLESNAKES
I thought it would interfere with my narrative," said Ccl. Ross com-
posedly. " The real murderer, I repeat, of James Maurice and Henry
Ducis is the respectable, the amiable, the excellent Prof. Lesner,
who finds in birds and bees the tranquil enjoyment experienced by
men of simple tastes in their home surroundings. You know the
Professor ? He is a model man. He would not hurt a fly. He is
wrapped up in his books and bees smiles sweetly on everybody
and holds the commission of Justice of the Peace ! In other
words, he is a living lie a whited sepulchre, as the Good Book says
a cowardly murderer, gray before his time, for he is scarcely more
than 50 and feeds on opium to drug his conscience ! "
Dr. Haworth said nothing. It was doubtful from the expression
of his face whether he believed Col. Ross.
" That is a strange statement," he said at length.
" Which I see you do not attach any importance to," replied
Col. Ross. " In other words, my dear sir, you think my whole nar-
rative is a tissue of lies that I was the real author of that murder
and that I am simply adding a crowning lie in charging another
person with the offense."
Dr. Haworth made no reply.
" It is rather unpleasant to feel that one's word is doubted," said
Col. Ross, coolly, " but I suppose it is natural. I allow that after
that death-register business you have the right to think ill of me.
So be it. And yet you will soon find that I am telling you the
truth. I shall denounce Prof. Lesner to-morrow in open court as
the murderer and the woman Wilkins will be offered a pardon and
put on the witness stand. There will be no trouble about that, as
she is, in reality, only a thief. She only saw the murderer a* he
was escaping and will testify as to his identity. Is that plain ? "
" Yes," said Dr. Haworth.
" There will be no trouble whatever," repeated Col. Ross, " and
i rather enjoy the new phase of things, since my dear friend Lesner
forces my hand. To be plain, I did not know the extent of the
evidence you had collected against me, and thought a simple denial
of any connection with the murder would suffice. You have been
more skillful than I thought and in fact since yesterday I have
been meditating this coupe de main. Lesner will, of course, produce
my jesting note to him, and that will be unpleasant but it will not
be so unpleasant as hanging, or spending the rest of my life in the
State Prison."
COL. ROSS ON THE SUBJECT OF RATTLESNAKES. 233
" Prof. Lesner the murderer ! " said Dr. Haworth with a last
remnant of doubt.
" Yes, he was the real and actual murderer of James Maurice,"
said Col, Ross in a matter of fact tone. " I see you find it rather
difficult to believe, but it is nevertheless the fact. Human nature is
a curious affair, and this man is a curious specimen of it. I have
known him a long time, and have often made him the subject of re-
flection. He is a cowardly cur, as I have said, and as full of venom
as a rattlesnake. He had strong passions, and was not held back
by any sentiment from gratifying them, for he never had any relig-
ious belief of any sort, or the least trace of what gentlemen call
honor. He was quite poor at the time when he paid his addresses
to Miss Maurice, who was an heiress. As to his love, it was no
doubt only the love of an animal. Hate was his mainspring, how-
ever, and I think the gratification of that weighed more with him
than success in his suit. But the subject is not particularly pleas-
ant. It has been your luck to see only one of these traits his
hypocrisy."
" Such hypocrisy is incredible ! "
" Well," said Col. Ross, " it is curious how many things are in-
credible to us until they are plain to our eyes. This man I say has
been a real study to me. He seems to have enjoyed life since the
murder. He is a scholar, fond of books appears to derive real
happiness from his birds and bees is the model of a kindly host,
smiles on everybody and seems to love the whole human race.
Perhaps he lives in an atmosphere of opium."
" Yes."
" That may explain things. I have never tried the drug, but it
is said to make a man oblivious of the real world, to produce forget-
fulness. I suppose a cobra or rattlesnake under its effect would
forget how many victims he had bitten ! I have not seen our friend
much of late years in fact, since his friend John Maurice died so
suddenly."
" John Maurice ? You mean James Maurice."
" I mean John Maurice. His death took place a year or two
after his marriage, and under very peculiar circumstances. He was
a little unwell and sent for Dr. Seabright, who was absent from
home. Luckily, or unluckily rather, Prof. Lesner happened to be at
Mauricewood, and prescribed for him he had been a professor of
medicine once."
ROSS av THE SUBJECT OF RAI*TLESNAKES
Dr. Haworth looked at Col. Ross, recalling the words uttered by
Dr. Seabright during his first visit to him.
" All this is rather scandalous," added Col. Ross negligently,
" since there was no proof. Something was said of a misfake hav-
ing been made in the medicine by Prof. Lesner one preparation of
antimony was administered instead of another. One was harmless,
the other an active poison unfortunately, Mr. Maurice swallowed
the poison."
" It is impossible ! "
" Well, I see that you do not like to listen to these scandalous
imputations on the character of so estimable a gentleman as your
friend the Professor," said Col. Ross, "and it is rather unfair, per-
haps, to allude to them. Ask Dr. Seabright. Mr. John Maurice
certainly died very suddenly from one cause or another from what
he swallowed, Dr. Seabright said. Let that pass."
Dr. Haworth listened to this appalling charge without comment,
and a long silence followed.
" Well, sir," he said at length, " it is only necessary for me to
say now that I believe what you have stated. To-morrow will
show whether I am right or wrong."
Col. Ross bowed, and said coolly :
" I am pleased to hear that you believe my word, sir. You are
not effusive in your assurances, but I suppose I ought not to expect
you to say more. Whether you believe or disbelieve my statement,
it is the truth. That jesting note to the wretch Lesner was a fearful
imprudence it was no more. If I had dreamed that it would have
led to murder I would certainly never have written it. You will
say that I should have spoken out and cleared the memory of your
father on my return. Yes I should have done so. but I was told
that no human being believed that he was really guilty. I ought to
have exposed the murderer yes, but the result would have been a
stain on my name. I have often resolved to do so, but I had not the
courage. You see I am frank. I say as frankly that the threat to
proclaim the fact that the present Mrs. Maurice was never lawfully
married to her husband was disgraceful, but a threat only in ap-
pearance. I swear to you that I meant to burn that paper before
her eyes, under any circumstances, and return to Washington and
take steps to declare the date in the commissioner's report an error.
If I was guilty of an offense which no gentleman should have been
guilty of if I believed the record was true, and said to Mrs. Mau-
COL. ROSS ON THE SUBJECT OF RATTLESNAKES. 235
rice : ' There is the proof that you were never married, and that
Miss Maurice is not legally your daughter give me her hand as
my wife,' I am sorry for it and ashamed of it. I shall only repeat,
sir, that you, my successful rival, ought to weigh my temptation
and be a little charitable."
Col. Ross did not utter these words in any tone of feeling, much
less of humility. He spoke coolly and with a certain pride.
" Men honorable men commit these offenses sometimes," he
added, "and if the ladies come into court to-morrow and testify to
everything I shall instruct my counsel to admit their statements
without a word and permit them to go to the jury undisputed and
unmodified."
Dr. Haworth bowed gravely.
" It was unnecessary to introduce that testimony," he said, " but
it may be unavoidable now. The point of most interest is the
probable evidence of Prof. Lesner, who has also been summoned."
" Yes," said Col. Ross. " Well, if he does not abscond the
scene will be interesting. He will fight like a cat in the corner and
deny everything, of course. When the woman is pardoned and the
murder is brought home to him, he will, of course, produce my
note and attempt to drag me down with him, but I shall anticipate
all this and formally denounce him as the real murderer of James
Maurice, on the opening of the court to-morrow."
Col. Ross rose and said :
" I believe that is all I wished to say. I am detaining you, sir.
The hour is late and you have a ride before you. I need not again
call your attention to the fact that if you had not stated that you
were the son of Mr. Ducis I should not have troubled you with this
long explanation. Your announcement of that fact produced a very
painful impression upon me. Allow me to say once more that I re-
gard myself as a gentleman, in spite of appearances, so I thought I
owed you this statement. My silence when a word might have re-
instated Mr. Ducis has been a lasting source of self-reproach to me.
I can only repeat that everybody, including the very family of the mur-
dered man, scouted the idea of his guilt and attributed the murder
to some unknown person. That is all I have to say at present, sir."
Dr. Haworth had risen and the two men bowed to each other.
"To-morrow will probably convince you whether I have spoken
the truth or not," said Col. Ross.
And so the interview ended.
236
DUNN INDULGES /.Y A WITTICISM.
XV.
MR. DUNN INDULGES IN A PROFESSIONAL WITTICISM.
PROF. LESNER had not absconded, but the summons to appear
and testify found him so unwell that he was unable to attend court.
He would be sufficiently strong, however, he said, to be present on
the next day ; in the meanwhile other witnesses might be examined,
and perhaps the issue of the warrants, the return, etc., might be
shown by other testimony.
When court opened on the following morning, this message was
communicated to Mr. Dunn, and he said :
" Well, there's no real necessity for pulling the old gentleman
out of his sick-bed for a small matter of that sort. If he is able 10
attend to-morrow we can examine him ; if not, we'll swear the con-
stable and get at the facts."
Mr. Dunn examined his notes and said :
"The next point is the return of Col. Ross, which was said yes-
terday to be for a purpose, other than his trial. Mr. Timothy
Maurice and the ladies of his family, it seems, can testify upon this
subject. Are they present ? "
" Mr. Tim Maurice came forward alone, and any one looking at
Col. Ross, seated as usual behind Mr. Shirley, might have seen on
his face an expression of immense relief. Mr. Tim Maurice had
not been present at the interview between himself and Mrs. Mau-
rice, and the ladies were not going to appear.
He was quite right. Mr. Tim Maurice's testimony was unim-
portant. Col. Ross, he said, had visited Mauricewood on his return
from Washington. His former relations with the family had been
intimate, and the .visit had been connected with family affairs.
These did not concern the case before the court in any manner, and
his niece and her daughter would prefer not to be compelled to make
them public. He was authorized by them to say that the interview
had no bearing whatever on the investigation.
Mr. Dunn bowed politely, and said that under the circumstances
it would be unnecessary to insist on the presence of the ladies. But
Mr. Sparrow suspected a ruse. This ready acquiescence was sus-
p^cious ; and before Mr. Shirley could stop him he rose and insisted
that the witnesses should be brought into court.
He did not like the look of the thing, he said, fighting imaginary
DUNN INDULGES 7.V ,/ WITTICISM. 237
windmills. The attorney for the Commonwealth had issued his
summons ; a summons was a summons ; he meant himself to con-
duct this case in a straightforward manner ; and Mr. Sparrow
seemed about to hop over the desk before him, to the huge disgust
of Col. Ross and Mr. Shirley, who endeavored in vain to restrain
him.
Then he sat down and Mr. Dunn got up. His face was bland,
and he smiled but the expression of his eye was sanguinary. He
proceeded to flay Mr. Sparrow, to rub vitriol figuratively into the
wounds, and to cruelly demolish what was left of him. He then
laughed and took his seat, leaving the Judge to decide the point.
Judge Bootlack endeavored to do so, but the judicial luminary
was under the weather. He had partaken of so many nightcaps on
the preceding night that his great intellect was clouded ; he had a
headache, he said, and would reserve his decision until the after-
noon ; and as the dinner hour was near he would adjourn court.
This was accordingly done in the midst of general hilarity, and
the Judge, having descended unsteadily from the platform, disap-
peared in the direction of the tavern.
After dinner the court did not resume its session. Judge Boot-
lack was unwell. It was said that he had made every effort to re-
gain strength to resume his official duties ; that he had partaken of
alcoholic beverages at the bar and retired to his chamber to lie down,
and finding himself still indisposed had sent for additional tonics of
the same description, about a dozen times in succession. This still
having failed to revive him, there was no afternoon session of the
court, and the witnesses in the case were bound over to be present
on the next day.
Mr. Dunn then put on his hat and linked his arm in that of his
friend Sparrow. They fought savagely in public", but were bosom
companions.
" It's sad, very sad," said Mr. Dunn in a pathetic voice, " that
our friend, the Judge, is stronger mentally than physically."
" It is, indeed," said Mr. Sparrow, laughing.
" One hope, however, consoles me," said Mr. Dunn, " I think he
will meander into court to-morrow on the strength of old Coke's
maxim."
" What maxim ? " *
" Id cerium est quod cerium reddi potest. Free translation ;
* It is certain what a certain red-eye can do ! ' '
238 MR. BURDRTTE BESTOWS HIS BLESSING.
XVI.
MR. BURDETTE BESTOWS HIS BLESSING.
" I SAY, Haworth no, Ducis ! " exclaimed Mr. Burdette, walk-
ing in the Mauricewood grounds on the same evening, " is this the
way you do things in the South ? "
" What things, my dear friend ? "
" Murder trials and murder generally, secret assassination and
that sort of thing ! What do you mean ? Don't you know that you
are calling down on your heads the denunciation of the civilized
world ? This thing is going to get into the papers, Haworth no,
Ducis. You can't fool the press. Why not cover it up somehow
and prevent the horror from being exposed as an evidence of the
barbarism of the South ? Such things never take place else-
where."
" Well, elsewhere is lucky."
" In fact, I don't believe the thing took place at all ! Prof. Les-
ner concerned in it ? Good heavens ! that splendid old boy ? "
" You have Col. Ross' statement. I have repeated it, as it was
not made in confidence."
"Well, well," sighed Mr. Burdette, "if anybody had told me
that I was publishing for a murderer I should have laughed in
scorn ! How lucky I got away from his hospitable establishment,
and how unlucky his name is not on the title page of ' Psychology
of Opium ! ' The whole edition would go off like hot cakes, though
I should feel like putting the proceeds in the fire instead of into my
pocket."
Having thus unburdened his mind, Mr. Burdette asked :
" Do you think he will appear to-morrow as a witness ? "
" I think so."
" It will be a remarkable scene ! And do you really think Col.
Ross will publicly denounce him ? "
" Yes."
" I'll be present without fail. And now let me repeat a question
I asked the other day."
" What is that ? "
" Are you literary ? If so, I want you to write up this affair.
It's a stunner, and would curdle the blood."
" I thought you said tragedy was out of fashion ? "
MR. BURDETTE BESTOWS HIS BLESSING.
239
" You might make it comic, you see ; and get in a lily and a sun-
flower ! "
" I'm not literary, and there is not much of the lily about Prof.
Lesner. Yes, you were fortunate in getting away from that den with
your nice little Miss Giorgtone. There she is yonder on the veran-
da, and I think she has a companion Mr. Jean Baptiste Maurice.
Is she going to marry him ? "
"I asked her yesterday," said Mr. Burdette, laughing, " and she
proposed to box me, but as she blushed tremendously I suppose
she is."
" Jean could not be more lucky. I thought he had made an im-
pression upon her in Lima."
" They might be married at once. I never saw a boy so much
in love ! I said to him yesterday : ' I can't get a word with you !
You are always poking about, looking for Giorgione ! ' He blushed
worse than she did. Send for a parson and many the young ones !
I'll stand godfather and it may be a double wedding."
" A double wedding ? "
" You and the fair Miss Gary might embrace the occasion ; em-
brace is not a bad word ! "
As Dr. Haworth simply smiled and made no reply, it is possible
that he did not regard Mr. Burdette's suggestion as altogether absurd.
" I have no time to think of such matters," he said quietly. " I
have been quite busy this morning."
" Holding Miss Gary's fan or worsted ? "
"No, purchasing an estate. I have bought back my family
property the Ducis estate in this county. I found no difficulty in
doing so by offering more than its value. The deeds are executed
and the place is again my property."
" You are not going to return to South America, then ? "
" I am not."
" Well, well, I might have understood that ! What a world, and
how would it get along without woman ? It would certainly get
along differently. They pick a fellow up and set him down when
and where they fancy ! "
" A profound truth."
" And you are set down twisted around a girl's finger ! Poor
old boy, or young man, whichever you prefer ! No more haciendas,,
and mangrove trees, and delightful bananas ! No more opportuni-
ties of entertaining y friend Burdette ! "
240 MR - BURDETTE BESTOWS HIS BLESSING.
Why not ? Come to ' Brierland,' the name of our home ; there
are no briers to scratch you. You know the door will always be
open."
" I'll come ! " said Mr. Burdette, " and divide my time between
Giorgione and her husband at Mauricewood, and Gen. Henry Ha-
, worth Ducis and bride at the brierless Brierland."
On the same evening that wicked Mr. Burdette said to his
charge :
" Giorgione, I think I will leave you here for a week or two, when
I return day after to-morrow."
" Leave me here? " exclaimed the young lady, greatly outraged.
" With this young Apollo, Mr. Jean Baptiste Maurice hadn't I
better ? "
" No, sir ! ! ! " cried Miss Giorgione blushing crimson.
" He is not coming North, you know he's going back to Lima."
s " Miss Giorgione could not blush more deeply, but she looked
down and played with the cuff of her dress, smiling.
" Well, I see it's all arranged, and he's not going back in the
least."
And as Jean came up at the moment, and approached Miss
Giorgione, Mr. Burdette yielded to a sudden inspiration, cleared his
throat, extended his arms above the pair in the attitude of the stage
father, and exclaimed in a faltering voice :
" Bless yoUj my children ! "
Jean laughed and blushed, and Miss Giorgione was overwhelmed
with confusion.
" I will now add a few words of exhortation, my young friends,"
said Mr. Burdette, solemnly; "a brief lecture on the interest-
ing subject of matrimony, its drawbacks and attractions. Matri-
mony
But a stifled laugh behind him interrupted Mr. Burdette. He
turned around and found himself face to face with Miss Gary Mau-
rice and Dr. Haworth, who had come in from their twilight walk.
" You are just in time, Excellency ! " exclaimed Jean, " Mr. Bur-
dette is going to lecture. You and sister Gary can join the audience ! "
" What is the lecture about, Jean ? " said Gary to her new
brother, laying her hand affectionately on his shoulder.
" About matrimony ! " said Jean, looking at Miss Giorgione with
all his soul in his eyes. " What do you think of that, Excellency ? "
L "I think he is entitled to lecture on that subject," said Dr.
THE END OF THE TRIAL. 24!
Haworth. " His own experience has been charming if I may
judge from personal observation."
"Gracias, Senor!" said Mr. Burdette saluting, "and now as I
am going to say adios to this amiable household I will not neglect
the occasion to finish my good work. As my young friend, Mr.
Jean Baptiste Maurice, has perspicuously observed, you have ar-
rived just in time if not to be present when I bestowed my bless-
ing upon himself and this fair damsel, at least to hear their engage-
ment announced. They are about to be united in the holy bonds
of matrimony, and I have pronounced my paternal benediction. I
think others will be gratified by that same, also."
Dr. Haworth was standing by the side of Miss Gary, and Mr.
Burdette suddenly extended his arms above them.
" Bless you also, my children ! " he exclaimed in a broken voice;
after which, as the scene overcame him, the noble stage parent
bent double with laughter.
Miss Gary escaped from the room, carrying Miss Giorgione with
her in a state of immense confusion, and Mr. Burdette winked at his
friend Haworth.
" Really, this thing is getting too strong ! " he exclaimed. " Are
the couples coming to the ark ? Is all the world and his wife going
to be married over again ? I never saw such a love-sick establish-
ment ! Let me fly to Mrs. B. ! If I don't I'll catch the contagion
and make love to the widow ! "
XVII.
THE END OF THE TRIAL.
DR. HAWORTH had not echoed the laughter of his friend. His
thoughts were too much absorbed in the gloomy drama whose last
scenes were now about to be played. The next day would doubt-
less witness the end of the trial at Abbeyville, and the curious spec-
tacle would be presented of Col. Ross and Prof. Lesner confronting
each other in open court and each charging the other with murder.
Would Prof. Lesner have the nerve to defy his old associate ? It
was probable. If Col. Ross had accurately described his character
he would fight desperately when driven into a corner, taking the
chances. There was little probability that he would attempt to ab-
II
242 THE END OF THE TRIAL. ,
scond, and under any circumstances that would be impossible. He
was watched by an agent of Dr. Haworth, whose whole soul was
now bent on definitely relieving the name of his father from the im-
putations resting upon it.
The next day came and the party from Mauricewood reached
Abbeyville before the opening of court. The streets were already
thronged, and the crowd had already begun to flock to the court-
house. At 1 1 o'clock the room was packed, and by order of Judge
Bootlack, who looked solemn and said little, the crier opened court.
Mr. Dunn was observed to be uncommonly grave, and uttered
not a single jest. From time to time he looked at Col. Ross, who
was seated behind Mr. Shirley, and with even more attention at Mr.
Shirley himself, as if he were studying the demeanor of that master
under peculiar circumstances.
Dr. Haworth had in fact communicated to Mr. Dunn Col. Ross'
statement after an interview with the latter at the jail, and Mr. Shir-
ley had received a similar confidence from his client, Col. Ross.
Thus it was known to the counsel on both sides that the whole
case henceforward hinged upon Prof. Lesner that from the char-
acter of a simple witness to an immaterial point, the return on the
warrants, he had passed to the character of the real criminal, the
murderer of James Maurice.
As soon as court was opened Mr. Dunn said in the midst of a
profound silence :
" Is Prof. Lesner in court ? "
" He was sent for this morning, sir," said the officer addressed,
" and it is time for him to be here."
. Something in the tones of Mr. Dunn seemed to produce a vague
impression upon the crowd. The silence was like death. In the
midst of it the sound of hoofs was heard on the cobblestones of the
street, and a constable pushed his way in a moment afterward
through the dense crowd.
" Well, where is Prof. Lesner?" said Mr. Dunn ; "you served
the new summons ? "
" Yes, sir," said the constable in a low voice.
" Where is he ? "
"He was found dead."
Mr. Dunn looked the man in the face for a moment without
speaking. He then said :
" Dead ? You say that you found Prof. Lesner dead ? "
THE END OF THE TRIAL.
243
"Yes, sir; in his chair, with a book on his knees."
A profound silence followed the words not a soul in the vast
audience moved.
" Tell the court everything," said Mr. Dunn, calmly.
Theie was not much more to tell. The constable had gone to
Prof. Lesner's with a peremptory summons two hours before and
knocked at the door. No one replying to his knock, he had gone in,
opened the door of the library on the right and seen the Professor
leaning back with a smile on his lips in a large arm-chair. Some
pet birds were singing, everything looked peaceful, and he supposed
the Professor was taking a nap. When he called, the Professor did
not open his eyes, however, and after shaking him the officer touched
his face. It was cold. Prof. Lesner was dead.
For the first time, the great audience stirred and murmured, mov-
ing to and fro as if overcome by the tragic report of the constable.
" That is all, then ? " said Mr. Dunn.
" I found this paper in his hand, sir."
"A paper? Give it to me."
The constable handed Mr. Dunn the paper, which was an ordi-
nary leaf of note-paper, upon which were written these lines in a
bold and firm hand :
" I murdered James Maurice, taking him, in the darkness, for
John Maurice a man I hated. I also altered a date throwing the
guilt on Henry Ducis. His son has discovered everything, and a
woman who recognized me at the time of the murder will probably
be called to testify. All is over, therefore, and an easy death by
opium is better than a death on the gallows.
" It is not much, as there is no hereafter. Life is a dream, and I
only wake from it, to fall asleep not to wake. All my trouble came
from a woman. I was a fool to murder two men for such a nothing,
when I had my birds and bees. LESNER."
Mr. Dunn read this note slowly, and then passed it across to
Mr. Shirley. That gentleman perused it with similar calmness, and
simply said :
" I presume you will direct a nolle prosequi to be entered, sir,
under the circumstances ? "
"As to Col. Ross, of course. I will indict the other accused
persons for grand larceny, and misprision of felony."
244
AT
Mr. Shirley bowed and rose. He and Mr. Dunn exchanged
looks. It was probable that they regretted not having crossed
weapons as adversaries worthy of each other.
An hour afterward the court-house was deserted, and Col. Ross,
cheered by sympathizing friends, was driven home.
On the next day it was announced in the '' Abbeyville Gazette "
that our respected fellow-citizen, Col. Ferdinand Ross, who had
been subjected to great inconvenience by a groundless charge
brought against him, had returned to Washington on public busi-
ness. Every respectable citizen rejoiced at his success in repelling
the calumnies circulated against him, and he was followed by the
good wishes of the entire community.
A month afterward the same paper announced that its favorite
had left the United States for South America, where important in-
terests demanded his presence.
As to the sole written document which might have cast a shadow
on the fair fame of Col. Ross that had either been destroyed by
Prof. Lesner as amounting to nothing ; or if carried in his pocket
was buried with him.
XVIII.
AT PRESENT.
As the event here related occurred in the year 1880, they do not
mount to a very remote antiquity, even in an age which lives as fast
as our own.
They nevertheless seem very far away already from the actors
in them.
After the storm comes the calm ; after struggle, peace ; and
whatever any one may say, peace is better than war.
General Henry Haworth Ducis is married to Miss Gary Mau-
rice ; and Mr. Jean Baptiste Maurice has discovered that Miss Carry
Fenton, otherwise Miss Giorgione, had never meant to send him
away from Lima in that heartless manner. They have just been
united and reside at Mauricewood, which it is reasonable to sup-
pose will become their property at Mrs. Maurice's death. As to
General and Mrs. Ducis, they live at the old Ducis estate, and, as
far as any one can perceive, the young lady with the blue eyes and
banged hair has never regretted the result of her horseback accident.
AT PRESENT. 245
Mr. Burdette has been back twice. He says he is fond of the^
South, because the people there laugh out in a natural manner when
anything amuses them, and take life easy, which he thinks is the
best way to take it. He himself always does he is never in a
hurry, as he never rejects a manuscript under any circumstances.
He also never allows business to annoy him in any manner and
especially avoids all connection with it when he is traveling.
Gen. Ducis is always extremely glad to see him, and he always
stops, on his flying trips. When he goes over to Mauricewood to
interview the young couple there, he invariably recalls the scene
when he bestowed his benediction, and says to Jean :
" Are you as fond as ever of poking around Giorgione ? "
Judge Bootlack is still an ornament to the bench, and has but
one thorn in the flesh Mr. Dunn. As to the Wilkins people, they
were convicted of larceny, and are in the State prison.
Of the person who has passed in this history under the name of
Dr. Haworth, it may be said that he is quite a different person now.
The result of the trial lifted a great weight from him, and he is ten
years younger and altogether happier. He has disposed of his
property at Lima and become a citizen of the United States, which
he thinks is a better country than South America.
THE END.
MRS; MARY J. - HOLMES' KOYELSJ
Over a IY50LLBON Sold.
XfUKUPU VI J/iiniic?.
Homestead on tlie Hillside.
'Lena Rivers.
. Meadow Brook.
, Dora Dt-ane.
, Cousin Maude.
' Marian Grey.
Edith Lyla.
iueenie Hetherton.
.Darkness and Daylight.
Hugh Worthington.
Cameron Pride.
Rose Mather.
Ethelyn 'a Mistake.
Mill bank.
Price $1.50 per Vol.
Mildrea.
Forrest House.
Madeline.
Christmas Stories.
Bessie's Fortune,
Gretchen.
Marguerite (New).
AUGUSTA J. EVANS'
BSagai;
Benlah, $1.75 Inez, $1.75 Vashti, $200
fit. Elmo, $:>.00 Macaria, $1.75 Infolice. $2.00
At the Mercy of Tiberias, New, $2.00. .
" The anther's style is beautiful, chaste, and elegant. Her ideas are clothed In the
most fascinating imagery, and bur power of delineating character is tri>iy remarkable.*
A!one.
Hidden Path.
Wosa Side,
liemesis.
SPLENDID NOVELS.
Miriam.
Sunuy Bank.
Ruby's Husband.
At Last.
My Little Love.
Phemie':; Temptation.
The Empty Henri.
From My Youth U;x
Price $1.50 per VoL
Helen Gardner.
BiwhandB au
Jcssaaj'ne.
True ad Steel.
" Marion Harland nnderstanda the art of constructing a plot which will gain the at
tention of tiie reader at tlie beginning, and ke< p up the intervtt to the last page."
', POPULAR yrOTC!L,S.
lilent and True. Kate Danton. A Chanced Heart.
A Wonderful U'oman. Guy Earlscourt's Wife. Pride ctid Pas.-ion.
(A Terrible Secret. Heir of Charlton. Sharing Her Crime.
|>orine'8 Revenge. Carried by Storm. A Wronged Wife.
/A Mad Marriage. Lost for a Woman. Maude Percy's Secret.
wne NlgU'a iiy?tery. A Wife's Tragedy. The Actress' Daughter.
'. . The Qaeen of tho Isle. The Midnight Queen (New).
Price $1.50 per Vol.
" Mrs. Fleming's etoriea are growing more and more popular erery day. Their lifaJ
Ifke convereations, flashes of wit, constHntly vary ing teener, and deep'y inte"e*tiugplot fc
combine to place tht--ir author in the very lirst rank of Modern Novelists."
' 11 the books on this list are handsomely printed and bound
in cloth, sold everywhere, and by mail, postage free, on re-
ceipt of price by
G. W: DILLINGIIAM, PUBLISHER.
33 West 83rd Qtreet, New York,
JULIE P. SMITH'S NOVELS.
The Widower
dsmith's Daughter $1 59
Chris jtndOtho 1 50
Ten Oldllaids 1 5C
Lncv 1 50
puYoougWifa 150
The Married Ei-lle 1
Courting : id Farming 1
Kiss ana be Friends 1
Blossom Bud .. i
JOHN ESTEN COOKE J S NOVELL.
Bnrry of Eagle's Nest $ -3 00
Fairfax 1 50
HUttoHilt . 1 50
Out of the Foam
Hammer and Rapier.
Mohau...
CELIA E. GARDNERS NOVELS.
Stolen Waters. (In verse) $1 50
Broken Dreams. j) 150
Com])ens-ition. Do 150
A Twisted Skein. Do 150
Tested 1 50
Rich Medway Jl
A Woman's Wiles 1
Terrace liosos ^ 1
Seraph or Mortal? (New). 1
50
A. S. ROE'S NOVELS.
Tme to the Last $1 50 To Love and ToBeLored gl f*
A Long Look Ahead 150 Time and Tide 150
The Star and the Cloud 150 Woman Our Angel lf>0
I've Been Thinking 150 Looking Around 150
How could He Help It ... 150 The Cloud on the Heart 150
Like and Unlike 150 Resolution 159
CAPTAIN MAYNE REID J 3 WORKS.
The Scalp Hunters $1 50 The White Chief Jl 50
The Riflo Rangers. 150 The Tiger Hunter 150
The War Trail 150 The Hunter's Feast 150
The Wood Rangers 150 Wild Life 160
The Wild Huntress 150 Osceola, the Seminole 160
TKeMaroon 1 CO The Quadroon 150
The Head less Hornemnn 1 ,0 The White Gauntlet. 150
The Rangers and Regulators ICO Lost Leonore 150
POPULAR HAND-BOOKS.
TKe HabitJS of Good Societv The r.ice points of taste and good manners gl 00
Thu Art ol Conversation For those who wish to be agreeable talkei a 1 00
Th o Arts of Writing, Reading and Speaking For Self-Improvement 1 00
Carleton's Hand-Book of Popular Quotations 1 53
JOCX) L''C:al Don 'Is By Ineersoll Lockwood 75
COO Mediml Don'ts By Ferd. C. Valentine, M.D 75
On the Chafing Di*h By Uarriut P. Bailey 50
jPoleonWlmt 100
J)niw Poker without a Master DO
' POPULAR NOVELS, COEV1SC BOOKS, ETC.*
lies Miserables Translated from the French, The only complete edition gl 59
Stephen Lawrence By Annio EJwardcs 1 &0>
Bneau Field! nz Do. Do 160
A Woman of Fashion Do. Do 69
Archie Lovull Do. Do W
Love [L' Amour] English Translation from Michclct's fr.mous French work DO
Woman [La Fcintae] Tlie Sequol to "L'Amour." Do. Do. 59
Verdant Green A racy Engliili college story. Yv'ith 200 comic illuctrations 60
Doctor Antonio Ey Kufuiii 50!
Beatrice Cenci From {he Italian 1 50
Josli Billinsrs. His Complete Writimrs With Biosrrapliy, Steel] 'ortrait, and 100 111. 3 OU
Artemns Ward. Complete Comic Writings Wiih Biopruphy, Portrait, and 50 LI. 1 50
Children's Fairy Geography With hundreds of beautiful Illustrations. 1 00
All the books on this list are handsomely printed and jound
ia cloth, sold everywhere, and by mail postage free, oa re-
ceipt of price by
G. W. DILLINGHAM, PUBLISHER;
33 West 23a_Street, New York. *>
Mrs. Mary J. Holmes' Works.
TSMPEST AND SUNSHINE.
ENGLISH ORPHANS.
HOMESTEAD ON HILLSIDE.
'LENA RIVERS.
MEADOW BROOK.
DOUA DEANE.
COUSIN MAUDE.
MARIAN GREY.
EDITH LYLE.
DAISY THORNTON.
CHATEAU D'OR.
QUEENIB IIETHERTON.
UESSIK'S FORTUNE.
DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT.
HIGH WORTHINGTON.
CAMERON PRIDE.
ROSE MATHER.
ETHELYN'S MISTAKE.
MILLBANK.
EDNA BROWNING.
WEST LAWN.
MILDRED.
FOREST HOUSE.
MADELINE.
CHRISTMAS STORIES.
GRETCUEN.
MARGUERITE. (New.)
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
" Mrs. Holmes' stories are universally read. Her admuers are numberless.
She id in many respects without a rival in the world of fiction. Her characters
are always life-like, and she makes them talkand act like human beiugp, subject
to the same emotions, swayed by the same passions, and actuated by the same
motives which are common among men and women of evcry-day ex : stencc. Mrs.
Holmes is very happy in portraying domestic life. Old and young peruse her
stories with great delight, for she writes in a style that all can comprehend."
Nw York Weekly.
Tlie Nortn American Review, vol. 81, page 557, says of Mrs. Mary
J. Holmes' novel "English Orphans": "With this novel of Mrs. Holmes' we
have been charmed, and so have a pretty numerous circle of discriminating readers
to whom we have lent it. The characterization is exquisite, especially so far as
concerns rural and village life, of which there are some pictures tl.at deserve to
be hung up in perpetual memory of types of humanity fast becoming extinct.
The dialogues are generally brief, pointed, and appropriate. The plot seems
simple, so easily and naturally is it developed and consummated. Moreover, the
story thus gracefully constructed and written, inculcates without obtruding, not
only pure Christian morality in general, but, with especial point and power, the
dependence of tiue success on character, and of true respectability on merit."
" Mrs. Holmes' stories fire ail of a domestic character, and their interest,
therefore, is not so intense as if tin y were more highly season' d with sensation-
alism, but it is of a healthy and abiding character. The interest in her tales
begins at once, and is maintained to the close. Her sentiments are ?o pound, her
sympathies so warm and ready, and her knowledge of manners, character, and
the varied incidents of ordinary life is so thorough, that she would find it difll
cult to write any other than an excellent tale if the were to try it." Uostnn
Banner.
ffif The volnmps nre nil handsomely printed nr.d hound in cloth, sold every-
where, and sect by mail, pout aye free, on receipt of juice [$1.50 each].
G. W. DILLINGHAM, Publisher,
Successor to O. W. CARLETON A CO.,
33 W. 23D ST., NEW YORK.
AUGUSTA J. EVANS'
MAGHIFICENT HOYEIS.
BETJIiAH, . . ... . $1.75
ST. ELMO, . . . . $2.00
INEZ, . . . , . . $1.75
MACARIA, , . . $1.75
VASHTI, ', . . . . $3.00
TNTELICE, . . . . $2.00
A.T THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS (Neu), $2.00
A Prominent Critic Says of these Hovels:
44 The author's style is beautiful, chaste and elegant;
Her ideals are clothed in the most fascinating imagery,
and her power of delineating character is truly remark-
able. One of the marked and striking characteristics
of each and all her works, is the purity of sentiment
which pervades every line, every page and every chapter,"
AH handsomely printed and bound in tloth, sold ev*ry
, and sent by tnail t fcsfagefree, on reftipt of 'f rife \ by
G. . DILIINGHAM, PUBLISHED
83 "West 83d Street, Kew York.
MAY AG:
Popular Newels,
The following is a list of the Novels by the Author tit
"Guv EARLSCOURT'S WIFE."
SILENT AND TKUE.
A WONDERFUL WOMAN.
A TERRIBLE SECRET.
NORINE'S REVENGE.
A MAD MARRIAGE.
ONE NIGHT'S MYSTERY.
KATE DANTON.
GUY EARLSCOURT'S WIFE.
CARRIED BY STORM.
LOST FOR A WOMAN.
A WIFE'S TRAGEDY.
A CHANGED HEART.
PRIDE AND PASSION.
SHARING HER CRIME.
A WRONGED WIFE.
MAUDE PERCY'S SECRET.
THE ACTRESS' DAUGHTER
HEIR OF CHARLTON.
THE QUEEN OF THE ISLE (New).
These vols. can be had at any bookstore in the
bound library edition. Price $1.50.
Mrs. Fleming's stones are growing more and more popular every day. ThH
delineations of character, life-like conversations, flushes of wit, coucuntl/
varying scenes, and deeply interesting plots, combine to place
their author in the very first rank of Modern Novelists."
All Tiandaomely printed and bound in doth, told everyv>7iere, ant
If mail, postage free, on receipt of price ($1.50 tacJi), ly
.W. DILLINGHAM, PUBLISHER,
83 West S3rd Street, New Tork.
A 000 605 470 4