Welsh Newspapers
Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles
7 articles on this Page
Hide Articles List
7 articles on this Page
That Oilier Ian. ..
News
Cite
Share
[COPYRIGHT.] That Oilier Ian. By WILLIAM NORTH, Author of "The Queen of the Gipoies," "With Life in Hand." "The Story Wonderful." "Tales of the Dale Land," "The Baron's Daughter," &c. CHAPTER XXVI. M CEDEE. The Criterion bar was busy, but not crowded, for the theatres as yet claimed many of its customers. At half-past ten on a Satur- day night there are always eare to be plenty of people about, and the long, handsome room, with its great mirrors and costly fur- nishing, lacked not a fitting company of the gilded youth of London, who blew clouds of cigar and cigarette smoke into the air, and sipped daintily at the various glasses of each man's individual form of poison. On one of the benches, about half-way up the room, two men were seated—one a hand- some man somewhat past middle age, of mili- tary appearance, in correct evening dress and smoking a cigar thoughtfully; the other in a long ulster, buttoned close to his chin, was puffing at a very black pipe, regardless of appearances. Both men were nervous, or, rather, perhaps it would be correct to say that both men were in a state of nervous expectancy, though neither showed it. "What do you say, Crystal? Are we going to pull it off to-night?" "Not so loud, my dear doctor; not so loud. I don't mind saying in confidence that I have hopes." "Ah! You mean that letter about the boat?" "Not a bit of it. As like as not, that was a %nere blind." "Well, but the shipping people would hardly lend themselves-" "No, no. But such things may be arranged. The passage has actually been taken—I have seen to that myself; but, then, we must not forget these men are playing for high stakes, while we know that they have the sinews of war. That bank business was the cleverest I have ever met with. The forgery was good, but forgeries are common. It is not often, however, that a man impersonates another as well as this fellow has done. The clerk, who should know Mr. Russel well, declares that the bogus Russel actually drew the cheques on the counter, and on one occa- sion actually apologised for withdrawing such a. large sum without notice. I tell you this, that if Mr. Russel contests the matter the bank will fight; yes, and win, unless we can produce the other man." Dr. Smithson laughed grimly. "Poor old Dick! He'd willingly lose three times the amount if he could stop this perse- cntion." Crystal, the detective, nodded. "I don't wonder. It is one of the hardest cases I have ever come across, though it is hardly profes- sional to say so. No. when I spoke of haying hope just now, it was because th3 philan- thropic gentleman was out of the way. Mark my words, he is the man who has beaten us up to now. This other one does not appear to be half as clever, and, Dr. Smithson, it will take a clever man to beat us to-night." "You have all ready P" "If you went to the door now you'd find a cab tout and a man selling papers. They are two of my very best men. No one will bolt suspiciously without being followed, while you and I should be able to manage matters this side cf the door." "There's just one thing bothers me, and that is Dick's beard." "Beard? What do you mean?" "Why, it was a fancy of mine he should grow one after those cheques were forged. I hadn't a very clear idea how it would work, but it seemed to me that the dodge might help us, and' would at least protect Dick in a way." "I see. It was a good card, though you ought to have told the bank people. Then, smilingly: "You have not given Mr. Eussel much time for such a lengthy process as beard-growing." "Oh, it is not much of a beard; but, by Jove, how they alter a man! You know Eussel had a Dig moustache, pointed up some- thing after the fashion of his august Majesty nf the Fatherland. Well, now we have let it droop, and what with the closely-cut, pointed beard and a sort of waterfall moustache our Richard has a most artistic appearance." The detective caught up an evening: paper, and held it in front of his face. "Don't watch the door so closely, doctor. There's a man at the last place at the counter I don't like the look of. He's drinking freely, but something is wrong with him. However, we've ten minutes to the half hour. Plenty of time. Waiter, two more of the same. Now, then, what is your objection to Mr. Russel's beard?" "Why, I am half afraid that whoever intends to meet him to-night may not recog- nise him. I really ought to have told him to alter again." "Oh, perhaps he will think of it himself. What do you make of the man I mentifwwtf^ ) "Drinking too mtich 1—trimly MteCFhed the I matter-of-fact doctor. I So much the better for us. I wish I had the mixing of his potation," returned the detective, in an undertone. "A man will have to be steady to-night if he wishes to get the business on hand over without giving himself away. I beg your pardon, what were you saying?" "The fellow is apparently satisfied with us. He has been scrutinising everyone in the bar, you and me included. I never saw a worse face in my life-a regular bully, from the look of him." "Never mind his looks. What is he doing now?" "He has called for another glass of brandy, has compared his watch with the timepiece at the end of the room, and, as far as I can see, is trying not to start every time the door I opens." The detective chuckled. "We may be wrong; there's many a man I has a disagreeable appointment at such a. place as this, I fancy. But, there! We shall see." "Crystal, you wouldn't move nearer to him, would you?" "No. If he's our man he'll hang himself if we give him lots of rope. Patience, my dear sir; patience." The doctor fell to re-filling his pipe. 'Pon my word, it is nervous work. Don't know how you ever took it up as a profes- sion." "Bah! Simple enough. Til tell you some day. Why, I have been through many a worse job than tlris." "It's close on the half-hour. The man has emptied his glass, and, unless I am much mistaken, he is terribly nervous." "Oh, you rnusn't pin your faith to him. As likely as not our man may not arrive until after Mr. Kusael has put in an appearance. There goes the half-hour, "What shall you do if he is the man?" queried Dr. Smithson. By way of answer the detective tapped his pocket suggestively. "I am going to arrest him for being con- cerned in the forgery. We have not enough evidence for the other matter." "By Jove! Hero comes Dick." I It seemed to the doctor as though his com- panion crouched for a spring. But that pro- bably was only imagination, for outwardly Crystal was calm enough. "So it is; and. upon my word, I shouldn't have known him if you hadn't told me about the beard." Yes, it was Dick, sure enough, and Dr. Smithson, more nervous than he had ever thought to be, found himself marvelling that his friend could be so cool. Dick Russel showed no signs of fear or of expectancy, but strolled up to the bar, un- buttoning the heavy winter overcoat he wore over his evening clothes. Then he lighted a cigar coolly, and called for a small whisky I' and soda in a matter-of-fact sort of way. Crystal frowned as he watched the little scene over the top of the newspaper he still held in his hand. "Now. either our man does not recognise Mr. Russel or else we have made a mistake and must keep our eyes open." "It is probably the former, for he is still watching the door, and so is Dick, furtively." Crystal half-dropped his paper at that moment. "By Jove! You are wrong. There is Eussel coming now." Surely, the detective was right, for even as he spoke the door had swung open and the Dick both men knew so well entered. It was curious that even the doctor, who bad himself pointed out the real Dick smoking there, for an instant at least believed that he was mistaken and that this new-comer was his old friend. In every detail, no matter how minute, the man was the Dick the world knew—his fair moustache curled up. his soli- tary eye-glass, his favourite buttonhole, his particular shade of gloves. Then, too, he wore a long, light coat, such as Dick was wont to affect, and the very stick which he carried in his hand was one which had long been a favourite with the master of Cornthwaite Towers. "Sit down, man. or you'll spoil all." For the doctor had sprung to his feet. "ltmeans-" "Murder!" It was a woman's shriek. A barmaid had fainted. Men had dropped their glasses. Attendants were running from all quarters. Someone was wildly shouting for the policeman. Already those from the street were struggling to gain j admittance, for from the crowded circus the 1 news had flashed in all directions. Murder had been committed at the very door of the popular bar. And amid it all Dick Russel, who had sprung forward to catch the falling man, knelt in a dazed sort of way by the side of his own image. Crystal had darted off into the street. Dr. Smithson bad pushed his way roughly through the throng until he had reached the fallen man at the doorway. "Constable, I am a doctor. Clear a space." But no one listened to him, for all had turned to a gentleman who, having taken one glance at the stricken man, had, in that moment of agitation, exclaimed lond enough for all to hear: "Great Heavens! It is poor Dickie Eussel. I knew him well." At mention of hia name Dick looked up quickly. "You are wrong, sir. That man is not Dick Russel, for I am he." "An impertinent impostor! I tell you that man is Dick Eussel." Dick glanced first at the man at his feet, then at the man who thus denied his identity. The very ground seemed slipping away from beneath his feet. He had come that night to learn the secret which should end all his trouble. Was this the clue he sought? "Get out of this, Dickie. Get off home and wait for me; I'll put all right. Now, gentle- men, stand aside. It may not be too late. Constable, do your duty," and even while he was speaking the doctor was at work, cutting away the man's clothing until he revealed a frightful wound made evidently with a. long, fine-bladed knife. Dick went out. dazed and frightened, and as he went out a man seized his arm. It was Crystal, more agitated than anyone had ever seen him. "Speak, man, speak! Is that you? Is it true about the beard? Are you really Russel?" "I think so, Crystal; I think so. But 'pon my word, I have my doubts. It is all so hor- rible." The detective had hold of his arm, and was pushing him into his carriage. "Grim work, Mr. Russel; grim work. But it isn't horrible, for I fancy it has saved your life and put an end to all the trouble. Take my advice, and catch the next train home. There will be all sorts of reports about, though we'll do the best we can to kill them. But, mark my words, you are as safe as any man now; that is something gained, eh? Good night."
CHAPTER XXVII. THE RIDDLE…
News
Cite
Share
CHAPTER XXVII. THE RIDDLE SOLVED. "I don't hold with deathbed confessions, or deathbed repentances either, for that matter," I remarked the man, sullenly. Dr. Smithson nodded his head thoughtfully, as though quite willing to be convinced that I his request was an unreasonable one. "Still, you do very little good by taking the secret with you. You see, I have done my I best for you, yet neither I nor all the doctors in London could keep you alive much longer." I The sick man looked at the speaker with a gleam of something almost approaching affec- tion. "What a curious man you are, doctor! You I certainly do believe in speaking straight to the point." "Of course I do. and I'll tell you now how matters stand. We have fought this game between us, and neither have won. Honours are easy. But you failed because your own partner made n. blunder. See?" "Aye, curee him!" "No, no, bless him. He saved you from a horrible crime, and he saved a better man's life than yours." "How did you find out what you know? But, stay, I can tell you. It was that girl did the mischief. I said to old Silas as soon as he had her in his grip: 'Put her out of the way, man, or she'll undo 118 all,' and he wouldn't. "ilurder!" It was a woman's shriek. 1 Pluck—she was made of pluck, and Silas lover. her for it." j The doctor nodded. "She will be my wife ere many weeks a.re I past," he returned, shortly. > The other man drew his lips together as though he would have whistled to express his astonishment, then: "Well, some men have all the luck. I thought of marrying her myself if our plan had worked; but Silas swore he'd have her. We nearly fell out over her. Now, if Silas had not been jealous, he'd have let me live with them in London, and then she wouldn't have escaped, and all would have gone well. Curious, isn't it?" The doctor got up and poked the fire. "It is time you took your medicine. Are you comfortable?" "Yes, yes. You are a cool hand, you are." "Have I done all in my power to make you comfortable ?" The man nodded. "To the best of my knowledge, you are the only one who guesses that I was at the bottom of the mischief, and yet you have brought me to your own house and treated me like a prince. Old Silas was never tired of singing your praises, though he was frightened of you. We talked of putting you out of the way once." "I see. Well, then. you owe me something. Now tell me the story." "Do you swear I'm dying?" "I do." "Do you swear not to tell anyone this till I am dead? Very well, then. I owe you some- thing, eo you shall have it. You can tell it all to Miss Mason. I'd like her to know I admired her." "Thanks. Have a drink? Now, then, I'm ready. No. keep still," as the man tried to raise himself. "I am going to do all I can to prolong your life, whether you deserve it or not." The other smiled, then began abruptly: "Well, first of all, I am your friend's half- brother. His father was mine. What do you think of th&t?" "I suspected it as soon as I saw you the other night." "Yca; it's a wonderful likeness, isn't it? I don't know much about my mother; nothing to speak of. She died when I was born, but, at least, I know they were not married. Old Russel never knew of my existence, or pro- bably he'd have done something for me. I will say that for him. He'd been very liberal to my mother, and the money she left behind her seems to have been paidio put me into an orphanage, which was Iwtter than the workhouse. I believe I was rather smart as a youngster. At all events. I took a scholar- ship and went to a grammar school in the Midlands. Then when I left I became a clerk in the Midland Railway's employment." "Come, I don't call that a bad start," re- marked the doctor. "No; but the bother of it was I hated work. You see, I always imagined myself far better than my fellows, and I was always ferreting about trying to find out the secret of my birth. Quite like a story-book, isn't it?" "Well, you discovered that secret. Cut your story short, or you'll tire yourself." "What a queer fellow you are; I don't believe you can help trying to save life any more than a trained dog can. However, you shall have your way. I did discover it. and then I made my first mistake." "Mistake! How do you mean?" asked Dr. Smithson. "I hadn't quite got all the evidence I wanted, and so, instead of making terms with Mr. Russcl-I called him that, although he was my father-I dragged money out of him, blackmailed him, if you like. for, of course, he thought I knew everything, whereas, in point of fact, I only knew half. See?" "I see." "WeH, the old man took the business very much to heart. He was terribly proud, and frightened of me accosting him; also, I think he was timid, and fancied I should harm him, which was absurd, seeing he was the goose that laid the golden egg." "So that is why poor old Russel shut himself up in the tower. Why, he might surely-" "Yes, he might have done a dozen things, but he didn't. He just lived the life of a hermit, and paid me whatever I liked to ask. Oh, I lived well in those days, I can tell you; threw up my clerkship and enjoyed myself. But I got in with a set that did me no good. r nd it was through them I got to know old Silas Whiting." "A wonderful man'" murmured the doctor. "Wonderful? I should think he is. Well, now. just after getting to know him old Russel died, and the Young one came home from abroad. You remember?" "Yes, yes; of course I do. What then?" "Well, just at first I had plenty of money left, and I fancied I knew where I could get more when that was done. Then my half- brother went away again for a few months, and I was pretty mad at having done nothing, for I was getting into low water. I was hor- ribly hard up. and it seemed as though Dick would never return; so at last, in despair, I went to old Silas, and told him my etory from beginning to end. That night Silas lent me one hundred pounds, and asked for no security, only he made me promise to let him help me in the squeezing of Dick, saying I had blundered the other shockingly, and that such a mistake should not happen again." "But you only intended to ask him for an allowance? Dick would have paid like a. man if your story were true." "I know he would, and that was all I wanted. To this day I don't know what old Silas had in his mind. though I suspect he meant to do a bit of blackmailing on his own account." "Probably," said the doctor, drily. "I wish you would come to the serious part of the undertaking." "Yes, but I couldn't just at first. It is coming now. Listen! You may be sure I kept a pretty sharp look-out for my half-brother's return, and at last the day came. He was in London, staying at his chambers. I was terribly excited that night, though Silas was as cool as ever when we started off to pay our visit. I was so soft at that stage of the business that I swear I was sorry for the poor fellow, though I don't suppose it would have hurt him much to allow me, say, one thousand pounds a year." "Well, and what did Dick say?" "He was out, and I was almost glad1 for the moment. But old Silas, for all his quiet manner, was as keen as a bloodhound. He questioned the man as though he suspeoted Dick was hiding behind the door. But the I fellow answered straight enough. His master had gone out to dine, and was then going on to a theatre. He knew that, for he had booked the box himself." "So that night was lost, eh?" remarked the j doctor, who was anxious to give his patient breathing time. "Lost? No. It was an evil night for poor Russel. His man had made a bit of a blunder, or, perhaps, he did not care to tell us all, for when we got to the theatre we found that it had been taken by a lot of grand folk for charity theatricals." "I remember the occasion quite well. Vic- toria Hospital Bazaar," murmured the doctor. "That was it, and a grand show it was. House full of rich folk. 'Which is Mr. Russel's box?' we asked, and it was pointed out to us. I knew all about his engagement then, and I could tell Silas who the people were in the box. Sir Francis and Lady Morran and their daughter. Dick's fiancee, with several others who didn't matter. Dick was not there. Then the play began, and we found that my half-brother had a part, so we waited patiently. It wasn't much of a part, as far as I remember, but he was made up awfully well. He wore a light beard, just like mine before Silas made 4ne shave it off, a thick square one, and his hair was parted down the middle. I saw that in that get-up he was like me, but Silas Whiting never took his eyes off him except when he turned to look at me." "Well, what then?" "We waited until the first piece was over. In the second Dick took no part, and before long he sat down in the box by Miss Morran's side, dressed ordinarily and with his face as usual. Silas sat there gazing at him just as he had done before. And when we got up to go he must needs purchase Dick's photograph in his make-up, and all the time I ne, 3r guessed what he was driving at." "You may miss the next part if you like," said the doctor. "I think I see what followed." "No, no; you shall have it all," exclaimed the sick man, eagerly, his cheeks flushed and his fingers plucking at the sheet nervously. "I can't make out a very good case for myself, but confession is said to be good for the soul." "Very well. But keep quiet, my good fellow. Have a drink of this. Now, let me hear how Silas set to work." "He took me home that night and he talked. 'Great Heavens! How the fellow could talk, to be sure! I was the elder son, mine was the property, mine everything, but for the acci- dent of a marriage certificate, and I must move quickly, or it would be too late. Dick would marry soon, and have children to keep I on the family name—children who would take what by rights belonged to me; while I starved -a pauper. Then he began about the strange likeness between us, and all the while I only I thought I was to impersonate Dick-not to kill him. I believe it pleased me to be told I was as good-looking and had as youthful an appearance. At any rate, he made me cut my beard that very night, brush up my moustache, and ape Dick's style. You say how well we did it; you say yourself that even your deteo- tive was deceived." "Yes, yea; the likeness is extraordinary. As I look down upon you now I could take you for Dick." The old man smiled weakly. "Yes; trust old Silas to be right. I never knew one man half as thorough in all be did, and to every objection I raised he had an answer. Dick must be killed, if justice was to be done; that was the only way, or so he put it. But always I must be close at hand, so that I might step into my brother's shoes at a moment's notice." "It was at least a bold plan." "Too bold, I thought at first, till Silas talked, and then he made all seem so easy. Suppose that first attempt had succeeded, I should have had the whole night to get to know the house; besides, we had a plan of that directly. i Then in the morning I was to be called away on business, to break Dick's engagement with the girl, and stay away twelve months, which would have accounted for any little alteration in my voice or manner. Or. failing that, I was to have had an illness, with fresh nurses and doctors fetched from London; while, if another plan were needed, I might have taken up my abode in the tower, as my father did before me, refusing to meet anyone, and fools would have called it hereditary." "By Jove! There is more in the plan than ever I thought of. Under some circumstances at least it might have worked." "Under all if I had old Silas by my side." "The fellow is a. perfect genius," the doctor agreed. "Ah! you have no notion either of his skill. bravery, .or devilish cunning. He was a very king of criminals, and had a perfect army under him. Some fool once wrote to the papers to say that in London the services of an assassin could be purchased for a shilling. Old Silas knew better than that, and he paid good wages; but, then, it seemed to me he had the pick of all the cut-throats in the universe. Dick Russel might have been killed a score of times just as Lancelot Page got killed by one of our men accidentally, save only that it was necessary for me to be close at hand, and also that the murder must take place under such circumstances as would per- mit us to get rid of the body and substitute my living self." The doctor nodded thoughtfully. "I see," he mfPnured, more to himself than to the sick man. "I have wondered often how you came to fail; now I begin to see. The horse, the shot—h'm! it was the flowers that troubled me." "Yes, and to those poisoned flowers Silas pinned his faith more than to aught else. The poison took too long to take effect." "But the coachman, what of him?" "The carriage was being watched all the way, and if Dick Russel had fallen dead, as we expected him to do, a bullet would have settled the coachman if he could not have been bribed. Oh, each attempt, I promise you, was nicely planned. But, 'pon my soul, I think the gods fought for Richard D'Arcy Russel."
Advertising
Advertising
Cite
Share
POWELLS BALSAM Pflf|P||Q I OF 'ANISEED -^°>iltSUuHO Oives immediate relief- Safe and Reliable. | OF ALL CHEMISTS & STORES. TRADE MARK; "Lion, Net and MOUES."
CHAPTER XXV111. j
News
Cite
Share
CHAPTER XXV111. j HERO WORSHIP. This is sweet of you, Josie, and I am re- warded. Francis has walked over to the Towers to welcome you, while I stayed at home thinking you'd rather not be bothered first night, whereas I now have got you and Francis hasn't." I couldn't resist coming round this way to see my darling auntie. Dick and Maud come home to-morrow, and it was their idea that Jack and I should be at the Towers to welcome them." Dear child, it seems more like six months than six weeks since she went away." "Butterflies!" retorted Josie, scornfully; six weeks of honeymoon. We had a fort- night, and then I knew that Jack was pining for the slums. My husband is the best worker and the worst holiday-maker I have ever met." So you have been back a month?" Yes, a whole month, on the wrong side of the river." With the gentleman I once neard you dub *the wonderful doctor'?" "There is many a true word spoken in jest," returned Josie, sedately. "And have all the words you spoke in jest that morning come true, Josie?" "Why. yes; have I not married Jack? How foolish you were, auntie, to teU me not to search for a hero; we never guessed he was so close at hand." No, dear, we never guessed," Lady Morran answered, gently. For there was such firm conviction in Josie's tone that Maud's mother did not like to tease the young wife, great as the temptation might be. But it was the old, outspoken Josie, and the I next moment the girl was laughing. No. it has not all come true. I said my hero was tall, like one of Ouida's heroes. Jack is not tall. And then .his eyes-if I remember aright-were to be piercing. My Jackj is short- sighted; yet he sees further and deeper than any other man I know. Why. fancy, auntie"- this in a tone of utter astonishment-" when we were away I heard someone call Jack the ugly little doctor!" "0 Josie! How could they?" Yes, how could they? You don't call Jack ugly, auntie, do you?" Well, do you know, when first I met the doctor I didn't think him really handsome. But now, when I see him, I can cnly remember that he is one of the finest characters I have ever met." Josie patted Lady Morran's hand, then, rais- ing it to her lips, kissed it. That is just how I feel, autie. I don't like I women who glorify their husbands unduly; Y. but when I look at Jack I can only remember I that he is-" Dr. Fitzroy Smithson," added Lady Morran, mischievously. Yes, isn't it a nice name? I'd ever so much rather be Josephine Smithson than Josephine Mason." Lady Morran turned away to hide a smile. re-calling Josie's early opinion. Yes, dear, it is ever so much prettier than Smith without the son.' You said—if I remember rightly—that your hero would have to have a grand name, with, perhaps, a title." Josie held up her hand beseechingly. "Now, I believe you are laughing at me; and you mustn't jest about the title, for Jack is in daily dread of that coming true. Dear man, he'd never know what to do with it! But do you rememer all the rest my hero was to be, how he was to be brave and true, tender, staunch, and fearless? Was I wrong yi looking for that, auntie?" No, my dear, only so bold that yoa frightened me. But, now that you have gained your quest, I am frightened no longer, only very, very glad. It is not every old woman who knows that both her girls are so happy. And Josie, you have changed your opinion of Dick somewhat, eh?" Josie laughed. One couldn't very well live long with Jack, and yet be blind to Dick's qualities. Besides, I think he behaved so splendidly—he was so grandly unselfish, and did all for Maud's sake -and then, too. they are so happy together, and will walk through life hand-in hand together like a couple of light-hearted chil- dren." Yes, I believe they will. Little Maud's path was always strewn with roses. But what about my other daughter? Hae she made up her mind yet whether she dare walk hand-in-hand with the hero?" Josie shook her head. No; people have to be equals to walk that way, and that is more than I dare claim. He walks a little way ahead, just as we said, to clear the way, and I come after, holding his coat-tails. It is nicest so, when you are quite sure of your man." Eh, what is that about coming after me? Why, it is I who come after you—to-day, at all events. How do you do, Lady Morran? For- give my coming in this way. I saw you as I crossed the park, so walked straight in. I never can stand those powdered flunkeys of yours; their powdered heads look so prema- turely aged!" Dr. Smithson, I am always so glad to see you that I gave you permission to come either through the window or down the chimney." Now I call that very kind of you. I really oughtn't to have come in iow; but I thought it was about time I 'etched my little girl away. I knew when you two got together, what it would be. Trust women to "Jack!" and Josie shook a warning finger, Keep appointments, was what I was going to say, dear. Lady Morran, you see my wife is teaching me to appreciate the virtues of her sex. To tell the truth, I should have been hero sooner, only I stopped to gather a few spring flowers." And the doctor, with immense pride, pro- duced from behind his back just such another stiff bouquet as he had carried that first day when Josie met him. Botanical specimens. 0 Jack, you will be happy!" Jack looked distinctly disconcerted. You said the other day you were tired of Covent Garden hothouse plants. What a short memory you have, to be sure!' And as he spoke he pushed the field flowers into his wife's hand, with a certain hesitating eagerness that touched the elder woman, strangely. Josie took the bouquet and raised it to her lips. 3 Thank you, darling! Fancy Fitzroy. Smithson on his knees grubbing about for flowers for a young woman,' eh. Jack?" Dr. Smithson looked distinctly uncom-1 fortable, then he laughed. Did I ever say so? Well, I have learnt wis- dom since then. Wonderful, what a lot a woman can teach. We were all in the dark in those days, eh, Lady Morran?" Yes, we were in the dark then; but, thanks to you and darling Josie. the end of the story is brighter than the beginning." [THE END.]
!WESTERN MAIL ALMANAC.
News
Cite
Share
WESTERN MAIL ALMANAC. IMPORTANT LOCAL INFORMATION FOR OFFICIALS. In a. few days will issue from the press the "Western Mail" Almanac and Encyclopedia for 1902. Published at sixpence, this work of reference, with nearly 200 closely-printed pages, defies competition aa the cheapest book of reference on the market. There is nothing like it for the money, and those who have not yet made the acquaintance of the Almanac should do so as soon aa ever it is issued. A specially valuable feature is the local section, compiled exclusively for tillS Almanac, and giving an amount of statistics and other information invaluable to the publio official and the business man. The Parlia- mentary section is very full, and gives (as no ither almanac does) complete electoral information for each constituency in the United Kingdom from 1836 to the present date. The recent census is fully dealt with, and there is scarcely a subject on which accurate and recent information will not be found the pages of the Western Mail Almanac.
- WHEN OTHER LIPS. .-?.
News
Cite
Share
WHEN OTHER LIPS. ?
CHAPTER XXVII. THE RIDDLE…
News
Cite
Share
"As strange a tale as ever romancer hae written. On the face of it wholly improbable, and yet-well, no matter; go on. That meet- ing at the Cri., what did you think would come of it?" The man laughed bitterly. "Curses on that girl! No. I beg your pardon, I had forgotten. Only, had she not frightened Silas Whiting out of England, as like as not that last attempt had succeeded. What! You shake your head? Don't be too sure. I blun- dered there by not taking my man down to have a look at Richard. You see, it was this way. Silas had gone; I dare not try the bank again, for I had wind that they smelt a. rat. I knew that my half-brother's wedding was close at hand. Strange how that little baby- faced Maud has bothered me! Once let him marry, and bow could I take his place? She would always have known the difference, and a ipan cannot refuse to see his wife, shut him- self up in a tower, or go away for twelve months from her without an excuse. Well, then, I was getting badly pressed for time, as well as money; a bold stroke was necessary. I chose a public place so that Dick and his friends would have no fear, and I chose my knight of the knife carefully. He had seen Dick a, month ago, knew his face as well as I did." "But, surely, he knew yours?" "Aye, curses on our blunder! Silas made my face like Dick's, but he knew better than to let me walk abroad for everyone to see the likeness, so every day I wore a big beard, slouch hat, and spectacles, muffler and big coat, playing the part of one of Whiting's convales,cents." What, you were the man with Whiting that first day at the park gates?" "Of course I was. Don't interrupt, I am getting tired. As soon as my bully saw Dick enter the bar he was to have stabbed him in the side and bolted. He bad done the trick before. A moment later I was to enter minus my disguise, interest myself in the murdered man, and proclaim my name. I had enough private papers of Dick Eussel's in my pocket to silence dispute-his cheque-book, letters from Maud, with communications from his I solicitors. You'll know how I got them. Then I should have told the police Dick was my illegitimate brother, have put him in my place. I had the evidence and could scarcely have failed." The man's voice was growing weak, and Dr. Smithson was leaning over him, full of horror at the tale. But I blundered badly-fellow didn't know Dick with a beard on—let him pass—saw me— took me for him-and this is the end.' Dr. Fitzroy Smithson, accustomed as he was to death in every form, snatched up the bottle with a smothered exclamation. "He's right. God help him; it is the end."