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Synopsis of Previous Chapters. CHAPTERS I. & IL-Gerard Granville trough, familiarly known as Graany," com- plains to His friend, Phil Fiakston, that he has been swindled by a man named Garshore. Gough had been on the point of securing a valuable concession in connection with some oil wells in Koumania. Garshore, taking an unfair advantage uf some information Gough had given him, steps in and secures the concession over the tatter's head. A lady friend of the Minister Soutzo'a —by name Lydia Popescu, had been bribed by Garshore to help him in the matter. Ralston induceGoùgh to accompany him back to London. Granny tells his friend that he is secretly engaged to Miss Myra StapletOn, but that he is now too poor to marry her. Ralston and Gough are at the Hotel Cecil when they see Garshore and Lydia Popescu driving away together m a hansom. On parting Gough tells ,Ralstónthat he may be leaving town, but will wire his address. Next morning Ralston sees a startling headline in the papers. He rushes io the Cecil to find th.at Granny's bed has not been slept in. CHAPTER Hi. Reveals some Amazing Facts. At the kiosk at the door of the Cecil I bought several othe: papers; and seating my self in the same cane chair in which I had sat with Granny on the previous evening, opened And glanced at them one after the other. What I read was practically the same in each—a report evidently supplied by the Cen- fccal News. J I safe staring into space utterly dumbfound- ed. Suddenly I caught sight of the same porter /who had spoken to Garshore when the dark- fcaired woman had called for him. Rising, I tuent across and said— Do you recollect last night a lady driving Tip in a cab, She was in an opera-cloak. A | -gentleInan joined her and gave you an address to tell the cabman—just about dinner-time." The man thought for a few seconds, then looking; straight at me said You were sitting here at the time with Mr •Sough, weren't you, sir ?" u Yes—so you know Mr Gough, eh?" Oi course, sir we all know him here, sir," was the man's reply. "What causes me to tecoliect was that he came to me afterwards and asked what address the gentleman had n." Did he ask you thaU" I gasped. Yes, sir—and I told him. The cabman was ordered, to drive to IMa, Redcliffc Gardens- Out at West Brompton." Did you notice the gentleman return ?" Wefl, I think so, sir. I believe he came in -abouthalf past eleven. But I can't say for Teertaia. You see we get perhaps five hun- dred people in and out between ten and twelve." I td him, and returning within the hotel inquired -of the smart reception clerk if Mr Ralpth Garshore was staying there. was staying here, but he left this aaorning." You haven't any idea where he's gone, r suppose ?" J The reception clerk eyed me keenly, and ? Jt moment a hesitation said 1(" Well, if you leave a letter it will Tu "■>n to him—'providing he's left an add* That was *11 the satisfactkm I co £ £ ohtain. '?" to ^he e3»>tvard, and "Srt. extraordinary t read as follows The Central News states*" that „, AT ). it» pelie. a™ to-d.y •» to unravel what ser* b A extraerdmary and.g,. j f-past two this morns • fc in Redcliffe a constable on has ced the door of a dea-s. West Brompton, no light in the b?^ouSe shghUy ajar. There „ ,ii.all,.and the house seemed vStedtl? it' *&>* <*•» burgh* visited the pi h entered in order to xthe mmates. ^theorv was that the ? A F ? i the door "with a latchkey, /eSoii «•;14lert«W» r r_ within. „_r,„ t a woman's white feather boa •e apfeX the ground, but beyond that i i to be nothing unusual. The -lished di D ^ne grour,(i floor was a well- v the lr aing-room, upon the sideboard of c "twas arranged aDd untouched, !f negativing the suggestion, of, theft, th was a large drawing-room '<< overlooking the garden. t^is. apartment and turning on _us lantern, fke constable was startled to see ilevide of a. struggle. Chairs were over- Jr tamed, a small table with bric-a-brac had been ? smashed, a. heavy ornament had been taken ,< from the mantelshelf and hurled across the hroom, while one bt the big plush curtains •^across the window had been torn down, and lay in a. heap. i" The. constable ran in alarm to the door, Vjiand blew ,his whistle. In a few moments two oi hLs tOmrades were upon the scene, and they > returned to the- room, where, "beneath the fallen curtain, and half wrapped up in it, lay the body of a strikingly handsome dark-haired woman of distinctly foreign appearance. She was in. a black evening dress, trimmed with Veflver but though she was lifeless there was no external sign of injury." The Press Association, in another account, states that the police are convinced that the ^unfortunate lady has been assassinated, and a frantic struggle must have ensued before victim fell lifeless. Curiously enough, there was no other occupant of the house, and there are several remarkable features in the ease which tend to show that the murder, how- Ever i.tw accomplished, has been very inge- niously planned." Each journal added a note stating that the report was received on the eve of going to press, therefore no opportunity had been afforded to its representatives to make inde- pendent inquiries. For a few moments I sat reflecting. Could it be possible that this foreign woman, with dark hair, who wope the black evening gown trimmed with silver, how dead, was actually Lydia Popescu She and Garshore had driven together to Reddiflte Gardens. That was already esta- blished. Garshore had gone—fled from London. And Granny ? Where was he ? He had not yotrcturned In a flash, his hatred of the woman recurred to me. I recollected eveory word he had used, and 4so his sudden silence concerning her. By her influence over the minister in Bucharest he Y ad lost the petroleum concession and beeT ruined. 7 elt impelled to probe the mystery further. Tr fc. a terrible tragedy had occurred was cer- tai .1. But in what degree was either man implicated ? Suspicion rested upon bothL irpon Garshore as friend of the woman and as having been in her company that night, and irpon Granny Gough because of his violent hatred of her. And further, both men had dis- appeared Was the idea in Granny's mind when he had spoken to me of Leaving London ? His words were, I now remembered, full of gloomy mystery. He might go anywhere, to Ger- many-or Austria, and he had urged me not to wonder if he disappeared. Was not that in itself a very -curious circumstance ? Did it not took very suspicious, as though he had in his mind some sinister intention ? Suddenly I recollected my old friend George Cunllffe, the man with whom I had spoken there on the previous evening and whose pre- sence had given Granny an opportunity of ascertaining Lydia Popescu's address. But was the dead woman really the hand- some Roumanian ? I had not yet established- that fact. My first meeting with CunliSe had been in St. Petersburg six years ago. We were staying together at the Hotel de France. At that time he was actin as $pCC\a1 correspondent of the Morning Post," describing the marri- age of one of the Grand Dukes. But since then he had been attached to several journals in succession. He lived in chambers in Dane's Inn, opposite St. Clement Dane's Church, in the Strand and beneath the shadow of the Law. Courts. Therefore I resolved to go I and call upon him. Mysteries of crime were his speciality in journalism. He was well known to many of the officiate at Now Scotland Yard, and often assisted them with confidential information which in the exercise of his profession he sometimes was uble.to obtain Knowing tKis, I expected that this latest mystery would attract him. If so, I would join forces with him, and he would no doubt be able materially to assist the Criminal Investigation Department in their investiga- tions. From the recy outset I saw that this was no Yulgar murder, but the result of some very cleverly planned attack, in which the unfortu- nate woman had lost her life. Cunliffe, who for years had been engaged as an up- to-date journalist, in the investigation of crime' would certainly have a, theory. When I knocked at the door of his chambers he opened it and greeted me merrily. He was a. youngish-looking, dark-haired man in a grey flannel suit, keeh-eyed, active, with rather aquiline features, and a small dark mous- tache. The latter had an upward trend, and he wore gold pince-nez. Hullo, Ralston he cried. Well, this is a pleasant surprise I thought it was a boy over for copy. I'm on a big case, and very busy. But come in a moment,my dear fellow— not too busy to smoke a cigarette with you." And I followed him into his rather untidy and somewhat dingy bachelor's room, the big window of which-looked out upon the narrow paved courtyard, of the inn. What's the ease you're on?" I asked eagerly, as I took the cigarette he offered me. H Why, that curious affair down in Redcliffe Gardens. You saw it in the papers this morn- ing, I suppose ? My editor 'phoned me at half- paSt five this morning, and I fyave been on it ever since. Makes a good story—rattling good story I" story I" I Then you've solved the mystery, eh ?" I asked. Solved the mystery »" he echoed. "I only I wish I had, my dear Phil. iNo It's a mystery I' —a first-class mystery When the boy's been here I'm going down there again. They're en- tirely puzzled at Scotland Yard. The council of seven are meeting at noon, and they'll no doubt decide upon some theory. Heaven and earth will be moved to discover the assassin." Has the woman beep identified ?" I in- quired. No '■ That's where we're all at sea. She's a foreigner. Probably only been in England a few days. Looks like a Spanish, or Italian woman." Is her body still in the house ?" "Yes. Chief Inspector DanieUs from Scotland Yard and I arrived at the house at the same moment. You know that owing to the infor- mation I furnished about the great Russell Street mystery I'm persona grata at the Yard." Yes, I know," I said-, looking at the thin, alert figure in the gold-rimmed glasses. He had -stalked to his-writing-table and was gather ing tm some loose sheets of manuscript, the headings of which I noticed were Redcliffe Guwdens Mysterv Latest Details Who is the Dean Womat headings of which I noticed were Redcliffe Guwdens Myste-rv z Latest Details Who is the Deaa Womat "I wonder if I might come down with yon?" I ventured to ask. If you'll let me, I won't be troublesome, 111 promise. I want so much to see how you pressmen 'work up a story,' as you term it." "Then you've solved the mystery?" I asked. I Oh by all means, my dear fellow. After the meeting at Scotland Yard there'll be two or three of the best men down to go over the house and investigate. At present the search has only been a cursory one. In crimes of this kind the place is left as it is until seen by one or other of the great experts. They don't allow the local sergeants of the C.I.D. to meddle and bungle, I can tell you. Our police methods are very often criticised by a certain section of the public, but the people who condemn them are the ignorant. I tell you that in the whole world there isn't a straighter, more hon- est, or more intelligent body of men than the Metropolitan poMce and I fancy I know." At that moment there came another knock at the door, and a. sharp lad was admitted, saymg: Come for copy, sir." Cunliffe stuffed his manuscript into an envelope, and addressing it, gave it to him saying: Tell Mr Matthews that if he don't get any- thing before three he shall have another story for the special.' I'll phone, in any case, at three. And the boy put on his cap and disappeared. CHAPTER IV. Concerns the Fair Foreigner. As we went along the Brompton-road in a hansom, I turned to Cunliffe, asking 1, Is the house in Redcliffe Gardens number 127a ?" Yes," he answered, turning quickly to me. How did you know ? The exact number of the house isn't in the papers yet." I saw that I had unwittingly betrayed know- ledge which I ought to have kept to myself. Next moment, however,I succeeded in recover- ing myself, and said, even though it were an untruth I saw it in one of the papers this morn- ing." Which paper ?" ( I forget for the moment." And then I turned the conversation quickly into another chajanel, although I was eager to know all that had been discovered. At last I asked, What's your theory regarding this affair ? What has been found ?" I have no theory at present. Neither have the police," was his prompt response. All that's been found is the poor unfortunate woman wrapped up in the curtain, which seems to have been torn down for the purpose. The curious feature of the case is that as far as the cursory examination made by the police divisional surgeon has shown, there is no mark on the body to indicate the cause of death." That's peculiar," I remarked. Very," he declared. It shows that the crime is no ordinary one- Whoever did it took certain precautions against detection which are unusual." How unusual ?" Be patient. You may learn presently. This peep behind the scenes of journalism will pro- bably interest you." Of course it does," "I declamd. I've longed for years to go out with you when you have been writing up a mystery." And I told the truth. Ever since our first meeting in Petersburg I had kept up a dose friendship with George. He was a good fellow —a trifle conceited, perhaps, regarding his own abilities as a journalist. But he had reason to be. There was not another man in Fleet Street who could compare with him in alertness, promptness of action, or ingenuity in getting ahead of the agencies. The blanched lifeless countenance Was not that of Lydia Popescu, Essentially a product of this present age of sensational journalism and interviews, he was full of enterprise and resource, an able and graphic writer who never used padding," and who gave sub-editors no trouble in cutting down his copy. Cunliffe wrote nothing that was not good. Whatever he wrote was of interest. And when there was nothing of inter- est he would spend the day lying in bed, smok- ing apd reading novels. At last we turned from the Old Brompton- road, crossed Redcliffe Square and entered the long road of substantial semi-detached houses called Redcliffe Gardens. The neighbourhood was eminently respectable,forin that thorough- fare lived a good many stockbrokers, City merchants, and several diplomats and army officers. Near the further end stood a solitary con- stable on the kerb, on duty before the house in question, but attracting no attention. At pre- sent the public were not fully alive to the full importance of what had occurred, and besides, the morning papers which had contained such a meagre and unconvincing account of the. mystery, had not given the number of the house. Situated a few doors from the comer of Faw- cett Street, it was a big semi-detached, pros- perous-looking house, with narrow gardens fenced off from the pavement by high iron railings. A flight of six steps led up to the deep portico before the front door, and the fanlight was painted with bold white numbers. The Venetian blinds had been drawn up. so ? not to attract any undue attention, while the constable patrolled up and down, seldom halting actually before the house. As we asccnded the steps, the front door was opened to admit us by a man in plain clothes who had already recognised Cunliffe and wished him good-morning as we passed into the hall. Has Chief-Inspector Morton come down ;yet ? inquired my friend. qu Yes, sir. He is in the back room-where "the body was found." So we passed through the wide, well-fur- nished hall to a big square drawing-room which contained a grand piano, tl which was -attached a mechanical 11 player"; an apart- vinent upholstered in pale blue silk, and which betrayed every evidence of luxury and comfort. Tea roses in a big silver bowl upon a small table scented the room pleasantly, and the bright cheerfulness was entirely opposed to any suggestion of a death-chamber. Yet in the window recess upon the floor lay a something covered with a sheet. No second glance was needed to ascertain what that some- thing was. In the room were four men, one of whom Cunliffe introduced to me as Chief-Inspector Morton, a rather tall,grey-haired,grey-bearded man who, as everybody knows, is one of the most expert officers atNewScotland Yard.and one of the Couucil of Seven who sit in discus- sion whenever a great crime is committed. That Council had already sat, Cunliffe had in- formed me. The Director of Criminal Inves- tigations had been on the spot in his motor-car, and gone again, while the quartette now mak- ing a thorough examination of the place- were four of the best-known officers of the C.I.D. "Very pleased to meet you, sir," exclaimed the Chief-Inspector as he shook my hand. I recollect our friend Cunliffe here speaking of you once or twice. So he's brought you here to look on, eh ? Well," he added, rather thoughtfully, this is a funny case-ve-ry curious." '\o motive, ventured one of his com- panions, a much younger, man with a small black moustache, the ends of which were care- fully curled. Not so far as we can see, Jock," remarked another, calling the detective by his nickname, as is the usual habit among the men ^f the Department. No," declared the Chief-Inspect/jr thrust- ing h;5 hands into the pockets ^is grey tweed lounge-coat. It's a comlplete mystery." We had apparently disturbed/him in the act of going through some papers.a]ien from a little escritoire m the corn^. The Jady is a for- eigner evidently, for. our enquiries have shown that she only this place about twenty- four hours. A "^ourtg woman, evidently a maid, t? j he iace furnished from Cowley and oya, j agents, in St. James's Street, pay- ing six montiis' rent in advance, negotiating by post,- and giving a reference to somebody a0road, and saying that her mistress wished for immediate possession, as she had only just arrived in London and did not care to go to an hotel. They telegraphed to the owner, a lady living up at Forfar, asking whether, in the circumstances, she would let it without refer- ences, and this lady, evidently pressed for money, replied in the affirmative. Therefore, on the day previous to the tragic discovery, the key had been handed over, and the agree- ment was to follow on the next day for the tenant's signature. All of this is suspicious- very suspicious." Then the name of the unfortunate lady is unknown ?" I remarked. Exactly. The question, of course, arises as to the whereabouts of the faithful maid." Or the unfaithful maid," George Cunliffe remarked, for it would seem as though there was some ulterior motive in the rapidity with which she took possession of this place." I quite agree," declared Morton. From the house-agent's story it seems that the place was only empty a week. The owner closed it up, left it without any servants, and went up to Forfar. The new tenant being a foreigner, who had, only just arrived in London, had no servants, except this maid., who-" Who might very well have been the mur- dress," remarked the Scott previously ad- dressed as Jock. But, as far as the, doctor has discovered, there's no evidence that the woman has been murdered," declared the Chief-Inspector. He has found no wound." Cunliffe raised his finger as though a new theory had occurred to him. Violent quarrel, struggle, and sudden death from heart disease-eh ?" Morton shrugged his shoulders and said- Depend upon it that it's more than that, my dear fellow. There are certain elements in the affair which are peculiar—extremely peculiar. There was a motive in her hurried occupation of a furnished house. I've circu- lated a description of the maid, and the ports of departure are being watched. Unfortunately however, Cowley and Boyd's people are unable to give any description of her. All the nego- tiations were by letter from an address at Ox- ford." Bat, of course, you're not going to publish any facts, except those I'll tell you afterwards, Mr. Cunliffe," he said. Of course not, Morton. You surely know me better than that ?" and he laughed. In the meantime the other three detectives were making a tour of the room, noting any- thing which struck them as curious. If we can only find that maid," Morton said a moraeitt later, then she'd tell us some- thing. Without the identity of the victim being-established we're in the dark. Rend ell, .Q.f the Special Department, is coming down presently. The affair may be political, he thinks. The woman is a foreigner, Italian or Spanish, most likely. Therefore there's a sug- gestion of Anarchist vengeance, of course. And Rendell's an expert among the Soho crowd, as you know." I was reserving my own knowledge and my own suspicions to myself. My eyes fell upon the curtain torn from its pole, and the sheet with the Thing cold and still beneath it. Ah if I only dare tell those men all I knew. And yet if I did I should place my friend Granny beneath suspicion which might or might not be justified. I could see that Morton was puzzled. True he was directing the inquiries, and his com- panions were all of thftm picked men-men whose names were constantly in the papers as clever and successful investigators in crime. But the absence of motive indeed, the ab- sence of any tangible cause of death, pre- cluded him from forming any clear and dis- tinct theory. That there had been a desperate struggle in that room,and that someone had left the house fearing to arouse the neighbours or any passer-by in the street by slammiiSg the front door, was quite plain. But was that person an assassin ? Suddenly the dark-monstacbed man known as Jock uttered a cry, and exclaimed Hullo, what's this mean ?" And crossing from near the fireplace he brought in his hand an antique Italian poig- nard, with thin tapering blade badly rusted, but still keen as a razor at the edges, the cross-hilt of which, battered and chipped, was of tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl. I held my breath, and I stood in deadly fear that the pallor of my cheeks might be noticed. I saw Morton handle the old weapon care- fdlly, turning it over and over, and examin- ing the blade minutely. There was, however, no blood upon it. A curio evidently," was his remark. Per- haps it was kept as a paper-cutter. But a for- midable weapon, neverthelessi" he added, grasping itsj hilt and making a downward stab in the air. Then Cunliffe took it, and afterwards it was handed to me. How I took it I scarcely know. But with breathless eagerness I examined the hilt. Yes. There upon the square mother-of pearl let into the centre were rough initials— my initials, P.R." that my little nephew Paul had one day, long ago, scratched with a pin. Fortunately, they had not, as yet, been discovered. But no doubt they would be ere long. That old dagger was mine I had recognised it in an instant as the one I had purchased of the old Jew at the corner of the Piazza San Marco in Padua ten years before, and which had lain on the sideboard in my chambers ever since. I had noticed it there only the previous day, and had cut a piece of string with it because I coukl not find my scissors. Granny Gough must have taken it on the previous night while my back had been turned to get a fresh syphon-! I remembered that he had been pacing the room at that moment. What had really occurred within that now disordered drawing-room ? I, held the old weapon in my hand unable to speak. Then I gave it back to Morton in silence. It was clear that the woman had not been killed by it, while it was also equally clear that Granny had visited the house after parting from me in St. Martin's Lane. At last my morbid curiosity got the better of me, and crossing the room I fell on one knee, and slowly lifted the sheet from the face of the dead woman. Next second I uttered an involuntary cry of Surprise and awe. The blanched lifeless countenance was not that of the woman pointed out to me as Ly dia Popescu (To be continued.)
DUNDEE ELECTION.
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DUNDEE ELECTION. MR CHURCHILL RETURNED. The result of the bye-election at Dundee was not declared until seven minutes past mid- night. The first intimation was a message to the effect that Mr Winston Churchill, President of the Board of Trade, was elected. This was almost immediately followed by the figures, which were Mr W. Churchill (L.) 7,079 Sir G. Baxter (C.) 4,370 Mr G. H. Stuart (Lab.) 4,014 Mr E. Scrymgeour (Pro.) 655 Mr Churchill's majority is, therefore, 2,709 over the Unionist and 3,065 over the Labour candidate. PREVIOUS RESULTS. 1892. 1895. (18,214 Electors.) (18,011 Electors.) J. Leng (L) 8484 13. Pobertaon (L) 7602 E. Robertson (L). 8191 Sir J. Leng (L) 7592 W. Of. Dalgleish (C).. S659 W. C. Smith (I U) 5390 W. G. Smith (L U).. 506S E. Jenkins (C) 4518 J. Macdonald (L). 354 J. Macdonald (I L P) 1313 Lib. maj 2532 Lib. maj 2202 1900. 1906 (18,655 Electors.) (19,492 Electors.) E, Robertson (L). 7777 E. Robertson (L). 9276 Sir J. Leng (L) 7650 Alex. Wilkie (Lab.).. 6833 A. D. Smith (C). 5181 Henry Robson (L). 6122 J. E. Graham (LU).. 5152 E.H. Shackle ton (C) 5 A. D. Smith (C) 3183 Lib. maj 2469 Lib. maj. 5411 V
Y GOLOFN GYMREIG, a
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Y GOLOFN GYMREIG, a AT Y BEIRDD. Fe wel y darllenwyr gyda Uondid fod y patriarch harddol o lannau Tees, er hired ac oered y bu'r gaeaf, mor shone ei dine ag erioed yn ef englynion diolcb. Diolch iddo yntau am ddal i ganu yn nos bywyd, a gwenu ar ei sêr. Wele Grwnfab eto'n hapus yn ei elfen yn ei ganigfechan fwyn ar Grwydro yny wlad," ac y mae Dewi Aur mor hapus Ag yntau yn hwyl a hamdden nos Sadwrn. Dilyn yr hanes yn rhy ffyddlon a wnaeth J. L. Jenkins yn "Ymaith Ag- Ef a newid gormod ar eiriau Pila,t a'r dyrfa er mwyn corfan ac odl. Mas swyn a grym dyfyniad yn mynd i golli wrth ymhel ag ef. Er hynny, nid J. L. Jenkins,-ysgwaothyroedd, yw'r cyntaf o gannoedd o feirdd sydd wedi ac yn gwneud hyn. Ar destyn fel hwn,sydd a'i arpg-dchiadan i gyd mor adnabyddus, nid yr HANES sydd cisieu, na CHANtr'r hanes, na chanu AM yr hanes, ond canu uwch yr hanes. Llunier i gall hanner gair, Lie daw anghall i dengair." Maa banner canrif o tafur amryfath yn ngwas- anaeth ei wlad wedi peri i lii cyfeillion Mr M. O. Jones o Dreherbert, fwrw ati i wneud tysteb iddo fel arwydd o'u parch tuag ato, a'u syniad uchel am ei werth fel cerddor, ysgoX- feistr, a gwladgarwr. Y mae ar y bwrêtd. a gylchlythyr dyddorol, dan law swyd £ 6gion y mudiad, yngalwsylwCymrv'rby^ 'atypeth, ac yn rhestru r aria,n sydd eisoes wedi eu haddo gan oreugwyr y genedl a .t..awdd a fvdd cyf- rannu at y dysteb pan/Jdarilener fod Mr Jones wedi bod am chwarter canrif yn disgvblu ac arwam Cor. MeibioT, "Treherbert, ac yn Ystod, y cyfnod hwne11 bod yn offerynnol i godi yn a^vf iirwy ° STynRh^rdd^u elusengar er budd a^hosion teilwng yn y gymydogaeth. "Iff-. gyngherddau plant, 50. o ba rai a "^i°dd efe yn Nhreherbert, wedi ennill clod cytiredinol. At y rhai hyn, gellir ychwanegu l:) o gyngherddau clasurol, ynghyd a nifer mawr o gyngberddau amrywiol. Y mae yn ffaith deilwng o sylw iddo gymeryd rhan yn y gyngherdd gyntaf a gynhaliwyd yn Nhreher- bert.Fel ysgolfeistr, gedy ar ei ol orffen- nol gogoneddus. Cafodd Dreherbert yn ei babandod, a gellir priodoli iddo ddatblygiad meddyliol miloedd." Rhwng popeth—Uafur llenyddol Mr Jones fel awdwr Hanes Cerdd- orion Cymru" thraethodau arobryn eraill, ei gefnogaeth i'r Gymraeg yn ei ysgol fel ym mhobman arall, a'i waith gyda cherddoriaeth o bob math, hyderir y ceir tysteb wir deilwng.
I'R DR. MORRIS, TREORCHI,…
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I'R DR. MORRIS, TREORCHI, AM "BWLPUD NODDFA." Hir oes Enos i Rosynog—drwytho, Drwy ei-draethiltd enwog, Dylwyth sVn ein byd halog 0 gred drist am Grist a'i grog. Cyfrol ragorol. a gawd—o goethua Bregethau glan, uchrawd, Gwr o wyddor, brodor, brawd- Rhosynog enwog, hynawd. Ac heriol gyfrol yw'r gwaith-o geinwych Ac unwedd gyfanwaith; Pob darn yn gadarn gydwaith Nas tawl for na thymestl faith. Ei dallien wna'r hen o -a boddus Y bydd i'r ieuenctyd Heb frol, mae'r gyfrol i gyd-yn 0 fuddiol gelfyddyd. (ddwynoj Trvrv wiw archwaith, Treorchi-a godwyd Yn gydwedd a'i chewri, A'i miloedd sydd yn moli Gyda bids rad rasein Rhi. Ond annuwiol yw'r nwyd newydd—welir Ar niwliog ymenydd Ambell frawd, heb ffawd gwynt ffydd 0 dan ei wan adenydd. Tan addfed bwiput Noddfa—'e fwynhei Fain awel Calfaria Yn tirfiol godi tyrfa Hyd ael hoff ysbrydol ha'. Awenrodd, Morris, yw'ch anrheg-i mi, A rhftl yw pob broddeg; Myg waith yw mewn da iaith deg,a diau Rhes yw o emau goreu rhesymeg. Iach ddiolch i chwi ddwywaith—am gyfrol 0 olynol lanwaith; Bydd hon yn lamp a champwaith 0 ddir fawl i't ddaear faith. Stockton-ar-Dees. Asaph Glyn Ebwy.
;CRWYDRO YN Y WLAD.
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CRWYDRO YN Y WLAD. Hyfrydwch ydyw crwydro, Ar fin y boteu bach, Dros heirdd rodfeydd Yr uchelleydd, Yng nghanol awyr iach. Hyfrydwch ydyw crwydro I weled tlysni'r glyn; Mae blodau'n fyrdd Yn harddu'r ffyrdd Mewn lliwiau gwyrdd a gwyn. Hyfrydwch ydyw crwydro Ym melus hedd y wlad; Wrth deimlo,'I, swyn, Hawdd cauu n fwyu Mewn nefoedd o fwynha'd. Hyfrydwci ydyw crwydro I demlau heirdd-y coed, Tra'r adar bach Yn canu 'n iach, Felused ag erioed. Hyfrydwch ydyw crwydro 0 afael pob rhyw g-ar,- Myn'd trwy y pant, Dros lannau'r nant. Dan frigau'r helyg ir. Hyfrydwch ydyw crwydro Ar hyd y bryniaa mad; Pob lleddfol froo A dry yn lion 1 Wrth gr wydro'n hodd y wIad. Llangennech. Crwnfab.
NOS SADWRN Y GWEITHIWR.
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NOS SADWRN Y GWEITHIWR. Arddetchog wedi wythnos 0 weithio caled blin Wyt ti, nbs Sadwrn diddos, I?oed haf neu auaf hin. Mac'm mlon yn balchio Dy weled draw yn dod, A'm natur yn dewr wrido Dan dy obeithiol g!od. Byrdwn.' Rho'wch aelwyd lanwedd, lonydd, Yn gynar yn y dydd, I gerddor ac awenydd Nos Sadwrn dedwydd fydd. Hen orsaf bywyd gweithiol Gwerinol wlad wyt ti, A llawer bachgen gwrol Ar ddrmgol Iwybrau bri; Wyt felus doriad tirion Ar amser gwaith pob ma, s Ac adgyfnerthiad rhadlon I gnawd ac ysbryd dyn. Diweddeb wythnos ydwyd, Nos Sadwrn, yn mhob man I weithwyr dewrion gweddlwyd Feiddiasent wneud eu rhan; A throfn hoff cau'r llyfrau Er rhoi diweddnod cun I fydol amgylchiadau Hyd newydd foreu Lhin. Nos Sadwrn, mor hamddenol Yw'r oriau diiyr gawn. Heb ofal awr foreuol I aflonyddu'th ddawn, Ond Sabath tawel, diddig, Yn gwawrio'n ddydd difraw, Gan dori'n hedd caredig Orphwysfa ar bob llaw. Craig Pedw. Dewi Aur.
11 YMAITH AG EF."
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11 YMAITH AG EF." Ymaith, ymaith ag ef!" crochlefai'r dyrfa A waeddai ddoe yn llawen ei "Hosana I Fab Dafydd," a'i chenllysg o felldithioo, Darana uwch y gwr fu'n gwella'i ebleifinn-i Ymferwa ei chynddaredd megys eigion A'i ewyn yn ymddringo i'r awelon. Yn anghof a'i chenhadaeth trwy'i gwauget- rwydd, A phaid & bod yn genedl bur i'r Arglwydd. 0 Salem hoff, pa le mae lief proffwydi Diweniaith Duw fu'n ceisio dy gynghori I ddigaregu'r ffordd, i Frenin Seion I esgyn i'w orseddfa'n mhob rhyw galon? A llai nâ.'i hun mae'r dorf gerbron Gwaredwr, A chynllwyn du'i harweinwyr ddallai'i chyf- lwr; A'i aJlu yn ffrwynedig wyla'r Cyfiawn Yn dawel o dan driniaeth treiswyr digllawn, Gerbron y rhaglaw gwamal saif ¡'w farnu, A hwnnw gan ei ddewrder yn ymddrysu, Cyfarcha'r rhaglaw'r dorf, wedd brudd- glwyfus Yn adlewyrchu gorthrwm torf gynhyrfus,— Pa achwyn ddygwch chwi dros eich ymddyg- iad ? Yn awr, heb dwyll. ategwch y cyhuddiad; Rhaid parchu'r ddeddf Rufcinig yu ddi-I eithriad." Onibae ei fod yn gyboedd ddrwgweithredwr, Yn dwyllwr ha«41ug, ac yn rhysol gablwr, Ni ddygem ni Ef atat." O! dorf aafad! A'i hateb yn bradychu'i malais enbyd. Wrth geisio diffodd Swir oleuiii'i bywyd. uYn awr, pa ddrwg a Wnaeth Efe? Ni cheiais Ynddo ddim yn haeddu marw; ni plirofais Un gronyn o wirionedd yn eich haeriad. Mae gennych ddefod "lejau geM ollyngiad; Ond hai Ymaith yn uwch yn awr ad- seinia Trwy Salem fawr, a'r dorf o hyd ymchwydda; Croeshoelia! A groeshoeliaf fi eich brenin?" "Nid oes i n'frenin mwy ond Cesar ddewr-- ddyn." Mae'r Thaglaw* n fud a lief y dorf a orfuj Crychlamu gan orfoledd wna, gan wylltu, Tra Pilat wan yng ngafael den eiddigedd, ,I Yn ymson ynddo'i hun, "Beth yw gwir- ionedd?" Ymaith ag ef! croeshoelia ef I" ymddyrcha; "Cymerwch chwi ef," Pilat a darana; Ac yn ei hwyl y bloeddia Uwch ben y ddedfryd hon, A Barabas ollynga O'i blaen i'w ryddid Uoní Difeddwl oedd y dyrfa O'i gweithred anfad, ddu, Wrth waeddi'n groch 11 Croeshoelia Yr hoff Waredwr cu. Yn fud fel oen i'r lladdfa fc'i harweinir,— Oen Duw ei Hun, ond deigrvn glAn ni. chollir: Rhy galed oedd y dorf i. ddeigryn bychan Byth dros ei graddiau crych anturio allan; Mae gweddi Iesu drostynt aru drugaredd Tra'n dioddef dan arteithiau ci dialedd. Ym mynwes Pilat rhua'r ddedfryd ddiras, A" gwaed y gwïrion" sy'n alltudio Judas. Croeshoeliwyd Ef: ond trodd ei angeu poenus Yn obaith newydd i'r holl fvd pryderus. Ynysforgan. John Lewis Jenkins.
The White Spot. .,/
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The White Spot. By FRED M. WHITE, Author of The Cardinal Moth," Craven Fortune," Netta," BlacVmir'-il." &c., &c. Raybould bit savage'y into his cigarette. It was hard work tf: choke down the words of passionate contempt that rose to his lips. Oh, I know," he said, perhaps it would be better for us to be quite candid. I came to you a year ago with a patent for a new electric heating apparatus. I proposed to supersede coal altogether at the fifth of the price. You have stolen my idea, and now offer me a beggarly sum by way of compensation. Ten thousand pounds," the junior partner in the House of Merides said, softly. A pretty price for a little more than a year's work Raybould could not repress a smile. There was nothing subtle about the business at all. This precious pair were millionaires both of them on the verge of the grave, and without kith or kin, were just as keen about this piece of robbery as if it had been of vital impor- tance to them, and Raybould was perfectly helpless—he did not need these rascally Greeks to tell him that. Raybould took another cigarette and sat calmly smoking, and taking in the beauty of the place in which the interview was proceed- nperhaps their taste had been inherited from a long line of ancestors going back to the old days of Praxiteles and the like, for there was no denying the exquisite artistic feeiing of those choice scoundrels. The house at Staines was a veritable dream of beauty not the least attractive portion was the Winter Gar- den, which was situated in the centre of Staines' Court It was like some great glass house, with a huge dome in the centre. The whole had been filled with graceful and luxurious ferns gathered from all parts of the world. The scheme of decoration was some- thing novel, for, as for Raybould could see, the tender green foliage climbed riotously up the pillars and shafts which wefce raised to the roof, and just for a moment Raybould could not see from whence the ferns derived their nourishment. To all appearances the delicate tracery climbed upwards of its own volition. The light from outside came filtered through as if the great dome had been covered with a diaphanous curtain. Peter Merides seemed to divine what Raybould was thinking about, for he began to speak of the Winter Garden in tones of almost tender enthusiasm. He must have a heart somewhere under! his crust of worldly guile, or his lifctlf black eyes would not have become so distinctly and favourably human. How do those ferns live ?" Raybould asked. It is very simple," Merides chuckled. "Our idea was to have a kind of bower of glass literally smothered with graceful ferns. If you examine those iron columns, you will find they are quite moist. They are hollow and slightly porous, so that by forcing water through them it is possible to keep the roots of the ferns wet. If you will look into the dome, you will notice that the lower surface is concave, thus form- ing a natural tank of water between it and the summit. As for the flittered light, that is quite easy seeing that the whole of the outside of the conservatory has been coated with paint." Which wants renewing, by the way," the younger Merides said. The recent rains have washed some of the paint from the dome. But we arc wasting time, Mr Ray- bould." Are we?" Raybould said between his teeth. I will come over here to-morrow just before luncheon and let you have my final decision." With dogged determination and helpless rage in his heart, Raybould made his way the next morning in the" direction of Staines Court. Those worldly old sinners had been quite right —he had to think of his debts and his wife, and after a sleepless night he had made up his mind to accept the ten thousand pounds in exchange for an idea that meant a colossal fortune. Other inventors had suffered at the hands of unscrupulous capitalists, but Raybould found small consolation in this reflection. The bitter smile on his face deepened as he followed the manservant into a small office where Manfred Merides was seated. The latter looked up, and smiled shrewdly into the face of his visitor. I felt sure you would think better of our offer," he said. I will go and fetch my brother. He is in the conservatory. Raybould nodded as ]$anfield „ Merges the room- TheJUcnase was ve could be heard but the .twittering oftbe. birds outside. A moment later and there arose a loud- startled cry that ended in a piercing scream. It was worst than the call of a woman in distress, it was the hoarse cackling shriek of a strong man beside himself with terror. At the same moment the brilliant sunshine was wiped off the face of the landscape by one of the pas- sing clouds. Raybould dashed off hurriedly in the direction of the unearthly sound. He could hear once again the hideous tumult which seemed to him to come from the direc- tion of the Winter Garden. There he could see Merides bending over an iron chair, lined with cushions, in which reposed a huddled heap of humanity represented by Peter Merides. The whole place was filled with the sickening smell of burning flesh, a, little cloud of blue vapour was curling up to the great dome. In heaven's name, wha-t is the matter ?" Raybould asked, What dreadful thing has happened here ?" Manfred Merides staggered back, and would have fallen if Raybould had not caught him. His face was ghastly white, with eyes starting from his head in terror. Don't ask me," he whispered. I do not know. I cannot tell, but I found him like this, my brother. You are a man of science-tell me what it all means." Stifling a feeling of physical repulsion, Ray- bould bent over the body lying limp and life- less in the iron arm-chair. It required no pro- found surgical knowledge to see that Peter Me- rides was dead. But he. had not died in any way known to medical science. At the first blush it looked as if he had been struck by a flash of lightning, for the great dome-like head had been utterly denuded all all fleshy tissue, and the skull lay exposed. There was no face to speak of, all that had been burnt away, as was the clothing nearly as far down as the waist. If Peter Merides had been plunged headlong into some fiery furnace he could not have been more hoiribly burnt and scarred than he was. Raybould crossed the room and rang the bell. He gave an intimation to the servant who answered, saying that Peter Merides was ill and required a doctor without delay. The doctor came presently, but he was utterly un- able to throw any light upon the manner in which the Greek financier had met his death. There was nothing for it, he said, but to re- move the body to the house pending the in- quest which would have to be held. The doctor was still busy making his arrangements, so that Raybould had an opportunity of inspect- ing the scene of the extraordipary catastrophe. So far as he could see, everything was exactly as it had been on the day before. The iron armchairs were scattered about the tiled floor, a pair of small tables stood there with cigars and cigarettes upon them. There was nothing here to indicate one of the most sickening phe- nomena that had ever taken place in the his- tory of modern fatalities. Very carefully Ray- bould examined the seat in which the dead man had been reclining. So far as he could see, the cushions were intact, there was not the slightest sign of singeing or burning about them, and yet the unfortunate man had been I burnt to death beyond a shadow of doubt. He had presented the appearance of a body so badly scalded as actually to remove the flesh from the bones. Raybould put aside at once -the idea of personal violence. To begin with, there was no trace of anything whatever on the damp tiles. They were perfectly clean, and there was no hint of footmark to be seen. Again, it was impossible to enter the Winter Garden except from the house. Raybould glanced up into the dome, but he could see nothing there besides the graceful feathery ferns climbing so luxuriously upwards. The whole thing was inexplicable, mysterious, horrible—a terrible visitation of God which would probably never be explained. I ctgra.sp it at an," the doctor said, as he walked back towards Staines with Ray- bcruld. Of course, the inquest to-morrow will only be a formal opening of the inquiry to give us time to thoroughly investigate this ghastly business. We shall want cleverer heads than mine before the affair is explained. 1, As DriMartin had forecasted, the tragic death of Peter Merides occupied public attention to the exclusion of almost everything else. The inquest on the body was a formal one, and al- most immediately adjourned for further in- quiries to be made. The Scotland Yard authorities frankly owned that they could find no trace of anything criminal in the mat- ter. It appeared the Merides' domestic staff had been in the brothers' employ for some considerable time, and no possible suspicion could attach to them. The footman who had admitted Raybould to the house gave evidence to the effect that he had answered his mas- ter's bell not more than five minutes before imc discovery of the tragedy, and he was em- phatically sure that there was nothing what- ever the matter with his master at that time. He was also quite sure that-no one beside shim- self had entered the Winter Garden. This simple and direct evidence only tended to deepen the mystery. There was nothing for it, the coroner said, but to adjourn the inquiry for a week, and invite the assistance'of the College of Sur- geons and other highly scientific bodies ttf aid in the solution of this terrible calamity. Nothing will be done, and nothing will ever be discovered." Martin said to Raybould as the two entered the Winter Gardens to- gether. "It seems strange to think that so lovely a place as this should be connected with so loathsome a tragedy." Raybould said nothing. He stood looking up- wards watching the play of the light filtering through the roof where the spot of paint had been washed off, and noting how the spot dis- appeared with the passing of the "fleecy clouds. Just for a moment the white spot was almost blinding on the floor, then it vanished as quickly as it had come. In a mechanical way, Raybould proceeded to pick a handful of the choicer ferns. His wife was very fond of ferns, he explained to Dr. Martin, and some of the fronds WOUkl onite new to her. As he said tb; stood in the centre of the garden hold- ing up the handful of graceful foliage, so that the sun might shine upon it. Are they not lovely he said. Don't you Raybould broke off, suddenly dazed and con- fused, for quick as a flash the great, green, feathery mass vanished, and but a few dried blackened stalks remained in Raybould's fingers. What is it 1" he cried. "What devil's work is this ? Come out of this, Martin—I don't feel safe here." Raybould stood with his hands pressed upon the table and glaring at Manfred Merides op- posite him. It was strange that both men should look as if they had been through some terribly trying crisis. For some time neither spoke. They seemed to avoid one another's eyes as if perchance they were sharing some guilty secret between them. It was Merides who spoke at length. Why did you not come before 1' he asked. It is five days since I wrote you a letter im- ploring you to come and see me, and yet you have taken no notice whatever. Why not ?" There was a curious hesitation about Ray- bould. He might have been on the verge of a confession by the way in which he averted his eyes from his companion. He could see that Merides was haggard and grey the Greek did not fail to note how pinched and worn Ray- bould's features were. "We will come to that presently," Ray- bould said at length. I stayed away because I was afraid. A fortnight has elapsed since the tragedy of the Winter Garden, and we are no nearer to the solution of the mystery than we were at the beginning. You have had the ad- vantage of consulting some of the greatest scientists of the day-men whose opinion car- ried weight- Scientists," Merides sneered. "Dolts, idiots, fools, they worry me with their jargon, they make calculations,and yet they tell me nothing that is material. I tell you the thing maddens me. I wake in the night, dripping from head to foot. I am giving way to a habit which I have never fallen into before. There is only one consolation, and it is there." Merides pointed with a shaking hand to the sideboard on which stood a half-empty brandy bottle. Perhaps it is Fate," he said. Perhaps it is a judgment upon us for the way we served yoq." A conscience," Raybould laughed bitterly. Another Daniel come to judgment. It is good to know that you realise how shabbily you treated me. But that is not why you asked me to come and see you. You have some proposal to make to me." Weil, yes," Merides admitted. The more I think of it, the more sure am I that it is a judgment. I am afraid to move. I am afraid to go into the Winter Garden where my brother perished so horribly. I look in there sometimes. I pause on the doorstep, and yet I dare not go inside. Mind you, I am no coward—ask any man in the City and he will tell you the same thing. Only yesterday I stood there and saw that accursed white spot danc- ing on the floor—the same white spot that you told me of in the evening of the day on which my brother died." Raybould looked up with some show of in- terest. There was just a dash of colour on his pale, pinched face. So you noticed that," he said. Strange hat you should have seen it so recently. When the thing comes to be explained, that dreaded spot will be found to be at the bottom of everything." I believe yon," Merides said. I believe you have found it out. If you will name your price-" The price has already been named for me." Raybould interrupted. Give me back the child of my brain, and I will ask no more. But you are to put it in writing, or I do not trust you. I would not trust you though you mean every word you say for the moment. Take your pen and paper and re-assign to me my patent. With trembling hands Merides dashed off some sort of a document, which apparently satisfied Raybould, for he nodded curtly as he put it in his pocket.. Merides turned to him with an eagerness that was almost childish. Now, come along," he said. Come and show me at once how the thing was done. Mind you, I am not going to be ssatisfied with —-I wairfc A d«KioTi- stratloh. :"J"Shà.lt,-1tnow no f> £ »co till I lra-vei seen By way of reply Raybould opened the window and looked out. A long, trailing cloud was passing lazily over the sun. iwithhiswatchin his hand, the scientist seemed to be making some calculation. You are safe for at least five minutes," he said, probably more, but I see you are mystified. Still there is no danger so long as yonder cloud obscures the sun. Now come along." Merides seemed to accept the assurance, for he followed Raybould without further expostu- lation. There was nothing in the dim beauty of the Winter Garden to indicate the scene of an appalling tragedy. The graceful ferns twined upwards round the pillars, the subdued light filtered through on tp the feathery fronds and long trailing sprays. Raybould's quick eye noticed a patch of brown stain near the centre of the tiled floor. What is this ?" he asked. It certainly was not here on the last occasion that I visited the place." Merides shuddered from head to foot. He swayed like a man who suffers from some phy- sical sickness. I had forgotten that," he whispered. It was my brother's dog. He used to sit here at Peter's feet. We could not keep him out after his master died. It was the fourth day after the tragedy that one of the servants heard the dog suddenly cry out and whine as if in pain. A few minutes later and the footman came in to find that there was no dog at all—nothing but a calcined bone or two and a tuft of singed hair. As the master had died so the poor dog had perished. It is horrors like these that take all the life and soul out of a man. I would give half my fortune to know how these things can be avoided in the future." Raybould made no reply. He was evidently impressed by Merides' latest story, for his hand was shaking, and he looked up furtively from time to time as if forseeing some danger in the dome overhead. Then again he consul- ted his watch and proceeded to measure out a circle in the centre of the floor with the aid of a foot rule. Around this circle he drew a thick, black mark with a carpenter's pencil. Merides watched with the most intense interest. What is that for ?" he asked. That is the 'danger zone," Raybould ex- plained. Inside there is death, hideous and instantaneous, outside you are as safe as if you were in your own bedroom. But perhaps I had better make the circle a little larger in case of accidents. There, I thmk that is all right. Now we have only to wait for the sun- shine. When the sun conies everything will be clear before you." Gradually and slowly the long trailing clouds began to slide over the face of the sun until the brilliant light burst out suddenly, and the great glass dome changed from a dull pink to a vivid yellow. With the last vestige of disap- pearing cloud there appeared at the feet of the two watchers a great dancing white spot some ten inches in diameter which flickered and trembled on the tiled floor. It seemed as if the scientist had chained the spot there, for it did not move outside the black circle. Merides fairly clung to Raybould in his excitement and terror. "I have seen that spot often," he whispered. I mean often during the last two or three days, but never before my brother's death. Is it dangerous in itself, or 11, It is death," Raybould said hoarsely, "and yet so long as you stand even a hair's breadth outside that circle there is no danger whatever. In these circumstances, the white spot is like a cobra behind a glass case. See here." Raybould took up an old newspaper from a table hard by and folded it into a square. Very cautiously he advanced the sheet in the direction of the glaring white, there was a little sobbing puff, a pale circle of name, and the paper was no more, Just three flakes of white ash rose towards the dome,a second later and the white spot had vanished from the charmed circle. What is it!" Merides almost screamed. What does it mean ? And why has it van- ished in that mysterious manner T" By way of reply, Raybould pointed upwards to the dome which had changed colour once more, and was now a pallid pink hue. I thought you would have guessed," he said. The sun has vanished for a moment, therefore it is impossible to pursue our experi- ment Ymtil this cloud has passed away. Mean- while, I shall be glad if you will procure me a block of wood-I mean a good-sized log, such as one 11Ses in old-fashioned fire-places. Do you think you could get one for me ?" Certainly," Merides replied. His teeth were chattering, he was breathing hard with excite- ment. "There are one or two large logs in the hall fire-place. I will get one." The log was procured at length and carefully laid by Raybould in the centre of the circle. He watched it closely until the sun flashed out" again and the white disc once more danced and quivered within the prosaic ring of black- lead on the floor. Then he gripped Merides' arm and pointed to the log of wood. As the white, dazzling light struck it, the Winter Gar- den was full of the smell of charcoal, the great log seemed to split and fly asunder, almost in the twinkling of an eye it was no more than a heap of black powder. "There you have it," Raybould said. He was quite himself by this time, calm and self-pos- sessed. There you have the whole thing in a nutshell. As you saw for yourself, that heap of bla.ck powder was a minute ago a sound,honest English oak log, fourteen inches in diameter by eighteen inches long.. It comes under the direct influence of the white spot, and in less .J "l time than it takes to tell, it is reduced to nothingness. That is how your brother died, i by sheer misfortune his seat was placed where'' I the white spot could fall upon him—he was touched by the devilish thing, and his soul V was shrivelled out of his body. Precisely the same thing happened in the case of the dog. After seeing how that log was wiped, out of existence, you can understand not only the magnitude of the tragedy, but how it came about. You see how simple it all is." But I do not see how simple it all is." Merides protested. The effect of the thing is before me. As to the cause, I know-nothing. I told you a fortnight ago that this Winter Garden has been built for nearly three years. During the whole time there was no sugges- tion cf tragedy, that white spqt was never once seen. We have had days of sunshine- many, many of them without, bringing- a curse like this. You say it is necessary that there should be sunshine to bring about——" Yes—and powerful sunshine at that," Ray bould interrupted. You have just reminded me of how you described the building of this garden. Let me recall to your recollection my query to your brother as to how you get the soft, subdued light which is so essential to delicate fern-life. You will remember his tell- ing me that the whole place was painted out- side. Do you mind that ?" Yes," Merides said. But I fail to see what that has to do with it. A coat or two of paint could make no difference." It makes all the difference in the world," Raybould went on. If there had been more paint there would have been no tragedy, and I should have been the poorer by an invention that means a fortune to me. Cast your mind back again to that fateful interview. When your br other told me the means by which you obtained the subdued light, you reminded him that part of the dome wanted re-painting. He demurred to your suggestion on the ground of expense. I presume he was a man who never wasted a penny where a halfpenny would do." He was very economical," Merides mut- tered. Precisely. He would rather have risked a score or two of ferns, than spend a pound or two necessary to repair the damage to the dome, probably caused by frost and rain. If you will wait a moment I will show you ex- actty what I mean. Now is the time." Once more the sun crept behind the trailing clouds so that it was possible to look upwards to the dome. With his hand on Merides' arm Raybould called the latter's attention to a round shining disc in the dome from whence the paint had been worn by time and stress of weather. The disc was perfectly round and exactly in the centre of the summit of the dome. It was possible, looking upwards, to see the trailng cloud across the sun. Now fix your eye well upon that," Ray- bould said, for there is the, cause of all the mischief. Three pennyworth of paint dabbed on that disc would make everything as sate as it was' before. So long as the sun does not shine there is no peril. But gradually the elements have rubbed that disc smooth and clear, so that it forms the eye of a gigantic lens. Don't you see now that this black circle here is the focus of one of the strongest burning glasses in the world. In other words, the catastrophe-- j "I see, I see," Merides cried. Every- thing is clear at last. In the dome is the con- cave tank of water which is forced up there to find its way by gravitation down the left hand side of the Garden,and thus feed the ferns clinging to the pillars to the right." That is it," Raybould said. You have up there a huge lens some six feet in diameter and three feet thick. That is a lens about five times the size of any one used in modern telescopes. When you come to think of it, a lens of half an inch diameter is big enough to light a man's pipe. What, then, would be the effect of a huge cylinder like the one in the dome ? By some' means or another the paint had worn away from the summit, and there you have your focus to concentrate the burning rays on the floor, Mind you, this could only happen during certain times in the summer when the sun is high and powerful. A month sooner or later and the angle of the sun would be different, and, therefore, would only cast itself sideways on the big lens, and, consequently, would, be harmless. It is a good thing, perhaps, that I hit upon this solution, for a few days later it would have been impossible to put my theory to the test, and gradually the catastrophe would have been forgotten. Even now, so long as you keep the dome properly painted, no danger can arise. Still, in my case, I should have that deadly water tank removed alto- gether. And now, sir, it seems to me that I have earned my reward. If you think-" Raybould stepped back suddenly,for the sun had flashed out again, and he was standing un- thinkingly within the blacklead circle. He shuddered as he looked upwards and remem- bered how near he had been to death himself on the day when he had gathered those few ferns. He turned to Merides, but the latter had disappeared. The Greek came back a moment later carrying a rifle in his hands. His lips were compressed and his eyes determined. Pointing the gun upwards, he pressed the trigger. There was a loud report following a blinding flash, and then the clattering smash of falling glass, followed by a deluge of water. It was the best way," Merides said, the only w^y to get rid of thai white spot. Next Week A MISUNDERSTANDIN G, By Isabel Clarke.
CARDIFF GUARDIANS.
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CARDIFF GUARDIANS. Medical Officer's Residence. At Saturday's meeting the Cardiff Guardians again discussed the question of Dr. Timms (medical officer) residing nearer to the Work- house than at present. The board have refused the doctor's nomination of Dr. Fitzgerald (Newport-road) as his deputy, until they know whether Dr. Timms will move from Splott and take up practice nearer the "house." Dr. Timms now wrote stating that he could reach the Workhouse within 10 minutes on hia bicycle. There were difficulties in the way of moving at the present time, and he asked to be allowed to remain at Splott whilst the board considered their decision regarding resi- dence in the district. Should the board require a deputy residing in the Canton district, he thought this could be arranged. A long discussion took place. Mr A. Good moved that Dr. Tiuxms be required to fulfil his promise to reside in the district, made at the time of his appointment. Mr J. R. Winn seconded. This was defeated by 31 votes, to 11, and the board resolved to request the doctor to nominate a deputy residing in the district. Typhoid at the Workhouse. Mr J. J. Ames, chairman of the Workhouse Admissions Committee, stated that it had been reported to the committee that during the past week a man suffering from typhoid fever had been admitted to the Workhouse. Replying to the Chairman (Mr O. H'. Jones), Mr Ingledew (master of the Workhouse) said I know nothing about a typhoid fever case. A man was brought in a cab, and admitted by me as an urgent case. Mr Ames He is certified by our doctor as suffering from typhoid fever, and we want aiD explanation. Dr. Timms said he had not seen the case, nor did he see the man until he was in the in- stitution. It was thought that further inquiry should be made into the affair, and for this purpose it was referred to the Workhouse Visiting Committee. Mr Travers asked where he was at present. The Master He died last night. Mr J. J. Henson again referred to the question of shipowners paying their fair share of the poor-rates. On his motion some time ago, he said, the board had written to the Local Government Board, urging them to take ac. tion to this end, but he had heard nothing further of the matter. Could the Guardians write again to spur the L.G.B. to take action at once ? The Chairman (Mr O. H. Jones): We havo written to them, and we cannot do anything more.
OUT-DOOR RELIEF.
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OUT-DOOR RELIEF. Filial Responsibility and Indifference. At, a meeting of the Newport Board of Guardians on Saturday, Mr T. Dutfield pre- siding, certain charges of ill-treatment, made, by Elizabeth Smith, one of the infirmary, patients, against Charge Nurse Fowler, was referred to a committee. There was considerable, discussion on a pro- posal to grant out-door relief in a case where it was said 53s 4d was taken into the house, every week. The Chairman remarked that it was extraordinary what some, children wowd, do. They had another case that day where the' children between them earned over JEL,000 a. year, yet they wanted their mother to receive parish relief. (Shame.) Mr Wm. Evans said that when people were drunken and dissolute they were given relief, but with respectable people, who were trying;' to make both ends meet], they were pulling the strings too tight. Of course, he would not give relief when the children earned iel,ooo a year. Mr A. J. Stevens asked if they had a right to give relief in a case where there was no desti-' tution. There was 53s 4d a week going into the house. It was resolved by 25 votes to 15 that no relief be granted in this case.
WOMAN STABBED TO DEATH..
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WOMAN STABBED TO DEATH.. A shocking tragedy was discovered at- Middlesbrough about midnight on Saturday, Laura Hughes, or Collins, aged 32, a married woman living apart from her husband, being found murdered at her home, 70, Argyle. street. Deceased returned home on 'Saturday night accompanied by a strange man, and the neighbours afterwards heard a scream and sounds of a struggle, but paid no attention* such sounds being rather frequent in the' locality. Half an hour later the man was seen to leave, and within a few minutes another man calling at the house found deceased in a nude condition lying dead on the sofa. lIeE throat was literally hacked to pieces, one wound, evidently inflicted with a table knife, penetrating to the spinal column. The room was in great confusion,, plant pots, bottles, and pictures being broken, and tin- whole place saturated with biood, everything, pointing to a terrible struggle.