“HAND AND RING,"

Waipawa Mail, Volume VI, Issue 665, 27 June 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

“HAND AND RING,"

Uv Anna Katjikuink Green, Author of “The Lea von worth Murder," “T fcJword of Damocles.” “The Defence of the Prudo,” etc. CHAPTER XIV. A LAST ATTEMI’T. When Fortune meant* to men moat Rood, Hho looka upon them with a threutenimr eye. —King John, Tiik sleep of Horace Byrd that night w anything but refreshing. In the first plae ho won troubled about this follow Browi whoso last imftertinonco showed ho was man to bo watched, and, if possible, undo stood. Secondly, ho was haunted by vision of the unhappy youth ho had jut left; seeing, uguin and again, both in h dreams and in tho rush of heated fancic which followed his awaking, that picture < utter despair which tho opening of hi neighbour’s door had revealed. Ho coul not think of that poor mortal as sleeping Whether it was tho result of his own sym pathetic admiration for Miss Dare, or < some suhtlo clairvoyance bestowed upoi him by the durknesn and stillness of the hour he felt assured that tho quiet watch ho liar interrupted by his careless importunit' had been again established, and that if In could tear down the partition separating their two rooms, ho should see that bower form and buried face crouched despairingly übovu tho disfigured picture. The depth: of human misery and tho maddening passions that underlie all crime had beer revealed to him for the first time, perhaps, in all their terrible suggestiveness, and he asked himself over and over as ho tossed on his unousy pillow if ho possessed the need ful determination to carry on tho scheme ho had undertaken, in face of the unreasoning sympathies which tho fathomless misery of this young man had aroused. Under tho softening influences of tho night, lie answered, No; but when tho sunlight came and tho full flush of life with its restless duties ami common necessities awoke within him, ho decided, Yes. Mr Mansell was not at the breakfasttable when Mr Byrd came down. His duties at tho mill were peremptory, and lie had ulready taken his coffee and gone. But MiBrown was there, and at sight of him Mr Byrd s caution took alarm, and he bestowed upon this intrusive busybody a close and searching scrutiny. It, however, elicited nothing in the way of his own enlightenment beyond the fact that this fellow, total stranger though ho seemed, was for some inexplicable reason an enemy to himself or his plans. Not. that Mr Brown manifested this by any offensive token of dislike or even of mistrust. On the contrary, lie was excessively polite, and lot slip no opportunity of drugging Mr Byrd into tho conversation. Yet, for all that, a secret influence was already at work against the detective, and he could noL attribute it to any other source than tho jealous efforts of this man. Miss Hart was actually curt to him, and in the attitude of the various persons about the board ho detected a certain reserve which had been ontiioly absent from their manner tho evening before. But while placing, as ho thought, duo weight upon this fellow’s animosity, he had no idea to what it would lead, till ho wont upstairs. Mrs Hart, who had hitherto ' treated him with tho utmost cordiality, now called him into the parlour, and told him him frankly that she would bo obliged to him if he would let her havo his room. To he sure, she qualified tho seeming harshness of her request by an intimation that a permanent occupant had applied for it, and oll'ored to pay his board at tho hotel till he could find a room to suit him in another house ; but the fact remained that hlio was really in a flutter to rid herself of him, and no Hubtorfugo could hide it, and Mr Byrd, t«> whose plans tho full confidence of those around him was essential, found himself obliged to acquiesce in her desires, and announce at once his willingness to depart. Instantly she was all smiles, and over whelmed him with overtures of assistance ;

hut. he courteously declined her help, and, flying from her apologios with what speed ho could, wont immediately to his room. Hero ho sat down to deliberate.

The facts ho had gleaned, dospito tho interference of his unknown enemy, were three : hirst, that Cruik Mansell had found excuses for not attending tho inquest, or oven tho funeral, of his murdered aunt,. Secondly, that ho had a strong passion for invention, and had even now the model of a machine on hand. And third, that he was not at homo, wherever else he may have heon, on the morning of tho murder in Sihloy. “ A poor and meagre collection of insignificant facts,” thought Mr Byrd. “Too p ior and meagre to avail much in stemming the title threatening to overwhelm Gouverncur Hildreth.” But what opportunity renmined for making them weightier? lie was turned from the house that hold tho few persons from whom ho could hopo to glean more complete and satisfactory information, and he did not know where else to sock it unless lie went to tho mill. And this was an alternative froiq which he shrank, as it would in the first placo necessitate a revelation of his real character ; and, secondly, make known the Tact that Mr Mansell was under the surveillance of tho police, if not in the actual atfStude of a suspected man. A quick*and hearty “ Shureyouaro very good, sir ! ” uttered in tho hall without roused him from his meditations and turned his thoughts in a new direction. What if lie could learn something from tho servants? Ho had not thought of them. This girl, now, whose work constantly carried her in to tho various rooms on this floor, would, of course, know whether Mr Mansell had boon uway on the day of tho murder, even if hlio could not toll the precise time of his return. At, all events, it was worth wfiilo to test her with a question or two before he left, even if ho hail to resort to tho means of spurring net- memory with money. His failure in other directions did not nccoHsituto a failure hero. ■* . He accordingly called her in, and show*og her a bright silver dollar, asked her if who thought it good enough pay [or a short answer to a simple question. To his great surprise she blushed and drew back, shaking her head and muttering that her mistress didn’t like to have the K'rhi talk to the young men about the house, and finally going oil' with a determined toss ot her frowsy head, that struck Mr Byrd aghast, and made him believe inoro than e'er that his evil star hung in the ascendant, b tte Ut * 3 ° oner ( l u *t the heuso tho

In ten minuteH ho was in tho street. But ono thing now remained for him to do. Ho must make the acquaintance of ono of the mill-owners, or possibly of an overseer or accountant, and from him learn where Mr Mansell had been at tho time of his aunt’s murder. To this duty ho devoted the day ; but hero also ho was met

by unexpected difficulties. Though betook pains to disguise himself before proceeding to tho mill, all tho endeavours which ho made to obtain an interview there with any responsible person were utterly fruitless. Whether bis ill-luck at tho house had followed him to this place ho could not toll, but, for soino reason or othor, there was not

ono of tho gentlemen for whom ho inquired is but, hud Homo excuse for not seeing him ; and, worn out at lust with repeated disap- * nointments, if not oppressed by tho doubt- >» nil looks he received from tho various suha ordinates who carried his messages, he loft tho building, and proceeded to make use of tho only means now loft him of compassing ,l his end. This was to visit Mr Goodman, tho ono H member of the linn who was not at his post. * that day, and see if from him ho could gather the single fact lie was in soarch of. J 1 “ I’erhups tho atmosphere of distrust with which I am surrounded in this quarter has not reached thisgentlomnn’s houso,” thought . ho. And having learned from the directory whore that house wus, ho proceeded im--1 mediately to it. His reception was by no means cordial. Mr Goodman had boon ill tho night before, and was in no mood to see strangers. “Mansell?” he coolly repeated, in acknowledgment of the other’s inquiry as to whether he had a person of that name in his employ. “ Yes, our book-keeper’s name is Mansell May I ask”—and hero Mr Byrd felt himself subjected to a thorough, if not | severe, scrutiny- “why you come to me with inquiries concerning him ?” “ Because,” tho determined detective responded, adopting at once tho bold course, “ you can put me in possession of a fact which it eminently befits tho cause of justice to know. lam an emissary, sir, from tho District Attorney at Sibley, and tho point I want settled is, where Mr Mansell was on the morning of tho twenty-sixth of September ?” This was business, and tho look that involuntarily leaped into Mr Goodman’s eye proved that ho considered it so. Ho did not othorwiso betray this feeling, however, but turned quite ealmly toward a chair, into which ho slowly settled himself before roI'lying : “ And why do you not ask tho gentleman himself where ho was? lie probably would be quite ready to tell you ” Tho inflection ho gave to theso words warned Mr Byrd to be careful. Tho truth was, Mr Goodman was Mr Mansell’s best Iricnd, and as such had his own reasons for not being especially communicative in his regard to this stratigor. Tho detoctivo vaguely felt this, and immediately changed 1 his manner. “ I havo no doubt of that, sir,” ho ingenuously answered. “But Mr Mansell has Imd so much to distress him lately that 1 was desirous of saving him from tho uti- 1 pleasantness which such a question would * necessarily cause. It is only a small matter, 1 sir. A person it is not essential to state 1 whom —has presumed to raiso the question among the authorities in Sibley as to * whether Mr Mansell, as heir of poor Mrs ' ( Tcnunons’ri small property, might not havo \ had some hand in her cl read ful death. There 1 was no proof to sustain tho assumption, and 1 Mr Mansell was not oven known to havo * boon in the town on or after Ihe day of her murder ; but justice, having listened to tho ' aspersion, felt bound to satisfy itself of its * falsity ; and 1 wus sent here to learn whore H Mr Mansell was upon that fatal day. I c find ho was not in Buffalo. But this doos r not mean ho was in Sibley, and lam sure H that, if you will, you can supply mo with * facts that will lead to a complete and satis- c factory a.libi for him.” ' But the hard caution of tho othor was not to bo moved. ° “I am sorry,” said ho, “but 1 can give ” you no information in regard to Mr Man- ’ sell’s travels. You will havo to ask tho u gentleman himself.” K “\ ou did not send him out on business c of your own, then?” c “No.” j- “ But you knew ho W'us going ?” 11 “ Yes.” v

“And can tell whon ho camo back ?” “ lie was in his place on Wednesday.” Tho cold, dry nature of theso replies convinced Mr Byrd that something more than the sullen obstiimncy of an uncommunicative man lay behind this determined reticence. Looking at Mr Goodman inquiringly, he calmly remarked : “ N on area friend of Mr Mansell ?” Tho answer came quick and coldly : . “ lie is a constant visitor at my houso.” Mr Byrd made a respectful how. “ You can, then, have no doubts of his ability to prove an alibi ?” “I have no doubts concerning Mr Mansoil,” was tho stern and uncompromising plyMr Byrd at onco felt ho had received his dismissal. But boforo making up his mind to go, ho resolved upon ono furthoi* effort. Galling to his aid his full power of acting, lie slowly shook his head with a thoughtful air, and presently murmured half aloud and half as it -vrfero to himself : “ 1 thought, possibly, ho might have gone to Washington.” Then, with a casual glance at Mr Goodman, added : “116 is an inventor, I believe ?” “ Yes,” was again tho laconic response, lias ho not a machine at present which ho desires to bring to tho notice of sonic capitalist ?” “ 1 belffivo ho has,” was tho forced and none too umiublo answer. Mr Byrd at onco leaned confidingly forward. “ Don’t you think,” ho asked, “that he may havo gone to Now York to consult with some ono about this pet hobby of his ? It would certainly bo a natural thing for him to d»>, and if 1 only know it was so, I could go back to Sibley with an easy conscience.” His disinterested air, and tho tone of kindly concern which lie had adopted, seemed at last to produce its of loot on his companion. Relaxing a trifle of his austerity, Mr Goodman wont so far as to admit that Mr Mansell had told him that business connected with his patent had called him out of town ; but beyond this he would allow nothing ; and Mr Byrd, baffled in his attempts to elicit from this man any distinct acknowledgment of Mr Mansell’s whoreabouts at tho critical time of Mrs Clemmons’s death, made a final how and turned toward tho door. It was only at this moment ho discovered (hat Mr Goodman and himself had not been alone in the room ; that curled up in one of tho window-seats was a little girl of some ton or twelve yoars of age, who at tho first tokens of his taking his departure slipped

shyly dow n to tho floor and ran before him o out into tho hall. Ho found her by the front o door when he arrived there. She wus standing with her hand on the knob, and pren sented such a picture of childish eagerness, .f tempered by childish timidity, that ho ini- voluntarily paused before her with a smile, t She needed no further encouragement. i “Oh, sir, I know about Mr Mansell!” r she cried. “He wasn’t in thut place you o talk about, for ho wrote a letter to papa / just tho day before ho camo back, and tho . postmark on the envelope was Montoith. I remember, because it was tho namo of tho , man who mudo our big map.” And, lookb ing up with that eager/.eal which marks tho I liking of very littlo folks for some ono ; favourite person among their grown acquaintances, she added, earnestly: “I do hope you won’t let them say anything bad about Mr Mansell, ho is so good.” And without waiting for a reply, she ran oil, her curls dancing, her eyes sparkling, all her little innocent form alivo with tho joy of having dono a kindness, as sho thought forhor favourite, Mr Mansell. Mr Byrd, on tho contrary, felt a strange pang that tho information he had sought for so long and vainly should oomo ut last from tho lips of an innocent child. Monteith, as you remember, was tho next station to Sibley. CHAPTER XV. TIIK END OK A TORTUOUS PATH. Thus bad begins and worse remains behind. -Hamlet. I The arrest of Mr Hildreth had naturally quieted public suspicion by fixing attention upon a delini to point, so that whon Mr Byrd returned to Sibley he found that ho could pursue whatever inquiries ho chose without awakening tho least mistrust that he was on the look-out for tho murderer of Mrs Clemmons. Tho lirst use lie made of his time was to find out if Mr Mansell, or any man answer- i ing to his description, lmd been seen to take < f lio train from tho Sibley station on the afternoon of the fatal Tuesday. Tho re- i suit was unequivocal. No such person hail i been seen there, anil no such person was believed to havo been at tho station at any i lime during that day. This was his lirst ‘ disappointment. ) Ho next made the acquaintance of tho i conductors on that lino of streetcars by i moans of which he believed Mr Mansell to have made his escape. But with no bettor t result. Not ono of them remembered « having taken up, of late, any passenger n from tho terminus of tho appearance do- i scribed by Mr Byrd. And this was his second disappointment, f 11 is next duty wus obviously to change his plan of action and make tho town of Montoith tho centre of his inquiries. But ho hesitated to do this till lie had made ono other visit to tho woods in whose recesses ( ho still bolioved the inurdoror to havo 1 plunged immediately upon dealing tho fatal blow. /

lie went by tho way of tho street railroad, not wishing to bo again seen crossing tho bog, and arrived at the hut in the centre of the glade without meeting anyone or experiencing f.he least adventure.

This time ho wont in, but nothing was to bo scon savo bare logs, a rough hearth where a fire had once boon built, and tho rudest sort of bench and tabic ; and hurrying forth again, ho looked doubtfully up and down the glade in pursuit of some hint to guide him in his future researches. Suddenly ho received ono. Tho thick wall ol foliage which at lirst glance roveulcd but two outlets already traversed by him showed upon close inspection a third path, opening well behind tho hut, And leading, as he soon discovered, in an entirely opposite direction from that which hail taken him to West Side. Merely stopping to easf one glance at the sun, which was still well overhead, ho sot out on this new path. It was longer and mote intricate than tho othor. It led through hollows and up stoops, and finally out into an open blackberry patch, whore it seemed to terminate. But a eloso study of the surrounding bushes soon disclosed signs of a narrow and thread-liko passage curving about a rocky stoop. Entering this ho presently found himself drawn again into tho woods, which ho continued to traverse till ho camo to a rood cut through tho heart of the forest, for tho use of tho lumbermen. Hero ho paused. ►Should he turn to the right or left ? Ho decided to turn to Lho right. Keeping in tho road, which was rough with stones where it was not marked with tho hoofs ot both horses and cattle, lie walked for some distance. Then he emerged into open space again, and discovered that lie was on the hillside overlooking Monteith, and that by a mile or two’s further walk over the highway that was dimly to bo described at the foot of tho hill, he would roach the small station dovoted to (ho uses of tho piarrymon that worked in this place. There was no longer any further doubt that this route, and not the other, had boon the ono taken by Mr Mansell on that fatal afternoon. But lie was determined not to trust any further to more surmises ; so mstening down the hill, ho made luh way :ft«the direction of the highway, meaning to Lake the walk alluded to, and learn for himself what passengers had taken tho train at this point on tho Tuesday afternoon so often mentioned.

Bui a barrier rose in his way. A stream which he had barely noticed in tho quick glance lie threw over the landscape from the Jrow of tho hill, separated with quite a formidable width of water tho hillside from tho road, and it was not till he wandered back lor some distance along its banks, that ho found a bridge. The time thus lost was considerable, but ho did not think of it ; and whon, after a long and weary tramp, lie stepped upon tho platform of the small station, lie was so eager to learn if he Imd correctly followed tho scent that ho forgot Lo remark that tho road ho hud taken was ■uiything but an easy or feasible one for a Imsty escape. Tho accommodation trains, which alone stop at this point, had both passed, anil ho found tho station-master at leisure. A single glance into his honest and intelligent face convinced tho detoctivo that lie had a reliable man to ileal with. Ho at onco commenced his questions.

“ Do many persons besides the qunrrymon take tho train at this placo ?” asked lie. “ Not many,” was tho short but sufficiently good-natured rejoinder. “ 1 guess! could easily count them on the fingers of ono hand,” ho laughed. “You would bo apt to notieo, then, if a strange gentleman got on board here at any time, would you not?”

“Guess so; not often troubled that way but sometimes—sometimes.”

“Can you toll mo whether a young man of very dark complexion, heavy mustache, and a determined, if not excited, expression, took the cars hero for Monteith, say, any day last week ?”

“ I don’t know,” mused tho man. “ Dark complexion, you say, large mustache ; let me sec.”

“ No dandy,” Mr Byrd carefully ox- , plained, “ hut a strong man, who believes in work. Ho was possibly in a state of . somewhat nervous hurry,” ho wont on, suggestively, “and if ho wore an overcoat ut ’ all, it was a grey ono.” i Tho face ot the man lighted up. i> “A seem to remember,” said ho. “Did ho > havo a very bright blue eye and a higli [ colour ?” > Mr Byrd nodded. “And did ho carry a peculiarly shaped > bug, of which ho was vory careful ?” > “I don’t know,” said Mr Byrd, but remembering tho model, added with quick assurance, “I havo no doubt ho did,” which soemod to satisfy tho othor, for lie at onco cried : 11 1 recollect such a person vory woll. I noticed him before ho got to tho station—as soon in fact us ho came in sight . Ho was walking down tho highway, and soemod to bo thinking about something. He’s of tho kind to attract attention. What about him, sir ?” Nothing. Ho was in trouble of some Kind, and ho went from home without saving where he was going ; and his friends are anxious about him, that is all. l)o you think you could swear to his face if you saw I think l could. lie was tho only stranger that got on to tho ears that afternoon. “ Do you remember, then, the day ?” “ Well, no, now, I don’t.” “But can’t you, if you try? Wasn’t thoro something dono by you that day which will assist your memory?” Again that slow “Let mo sco ” showed t hat the man was pondering. Suddenly he slapped his thigh and exclaimed : “ ou might ho a lawyer’s clerk now, mightii t you ; or, perpaps, a lawyer himsell ? I do remember that a largo load of stone wus sent oil t hat day, and a minute’s look at my hook It was Tuos day,” ho presently affirmed. Mr Byrd drow a deep breath. There is 1 sadness mixed with the satisfaction of hucli u triumph. “J am much obiigod to you,” ho said, in 1 acknowledgment of the other’s trouble. “J ho friends of this gentleman will now 1 have little difficulty in tracing him. Thoro ‘ is but ono thing further I should like to make sure of.” j And taking from his memorandum-book t ho picture lie kept concealed there, lie > ahowod him the face of Mr Mansell, now altered to a perfect likeness, and asked him < il he recognised it. I Iho decided Yes which ho received mudo * further questions unnecessary.

CHAPTER XVI. STORM. H'V "' y offence is rank, it smells to licav’n ; ll luilli the primal oiliest curse iipon’t! Hamlet. A day had passed. Mr Byrd, who no longer had any reason to doubt that he was upon tho trail of tho real assailant of tho Widow Clemmons, had resolve i upon a third visit to the woods, this time with tho definite.object ol picking up any clue, howevor trifling, in support of the act that ( mile Mansell had pussed through !l o glade behind his aunt’s house. The sky, when ho left the hotel, was ono vast, field of blue ; but by the time lie reached the terminus of the ear-route, and stepped out upon tho road loading to the woods, dark clouds had overcast tho sun, and a cool wind replaced tho quiet zephyrs which had all day fanned tho brilliant autumn foliage. Ho did not realise tho condition of tho atmosphere, however, and proceeded on his way, thinking more of tho person ho had just perceived issuing from the doorway of I rofessor Darling’s lofty mansion than of tho low muttorings of distant thunder that now and thou disturbed tho silence of tho woods, or i f the ominous, brazen tint which was slowly settling over the liugo bank of cloud that filled tho northern sky. For that, person was Miss Dare, and her presence hero, or any whore near him, at this time, must of necessity awaken a most painful train of thought. Hut, though unmindful of tho storm, no was dimly conscious of the darkness that was settling about him. Quicker and quicker grow his pace, and at last he almost broke inti* a run as tho heavy pall of a large black cloud swept up over the zenith, and wiped from tho heavens tho lust remnant of bluo sky. One drop fell, then anot her, then a slow, heavy patter, that, bent double the leaves they fell upon, as if a shower of lead had descended upon the heavily writhing forest.. Tho win 1 had risen, too, anil tho vast aisles of that clear and beautiful wood thundered with the swaying of tho boughs, and the crash hero and there of an old and falling limb. But tho lightning delayed. ’lho blindest or most abstracted man could bo ignorant no longer of what all this turmoil meant. Stopping in tho path along which he had been speeding, Mr Byrd glanced before him and behind, in a momentary calculation of distances, and deciding he could not regain tho terminus boforo the storm burst, pushed on toward tho hut. Ho reached it just as tho lirst flush of lightning darted down through the heavy darkness, and was about to fling himseif against tho door, when something—was it the touch ol an invisible hand, or the crash of awful thunder which at this instant ploughed up tho silence of tho forest and woke a pandemonium of echoes about his head ?—stopped him. lie never knew. Ho only realised that he shuddered and drew back, with a fooling of great disinclination to enter the low building before him alone ; and that presently taking advantage of another loud crash ol tailing bpughs, he crept around tho corner of tho hut, and satisfied his doubts by looking into the smull, square window opening to tho west.

Ho found thoro was ample reason for all tho hesitation ho had felt. A man was sitting there, who, at tho first glimpse, appealed to him to bo none other than Crude Mansell. But reason soon assured him this could not be, though the shape, tho attitude —that old attitude of despair which ho remembered so well was so startlingly like that of the man whoso namo was uppermost in his thoughts, that ho recoiled in spite of himself.

A second flash swept blinding through the wood. Mr Byrd advanced his head and took another glance at tho stranger. It was Mr Mansell. No othor man would sit so quiet anil unmrtfcd during tho rush and clatter of aJtprrible storm. Look i nor a hair of his head has stirred, not a movement lias taken place in tho hands clasped ho convulsively beneath his brow. Ho is an imago, a stone, and would not hear though tho roof fell in. Mr Byrd himself forgot tho storm, and only queried what liis duty wus in this strange and surprising emergency.

But bofero ho could come to any definite conclusion, he was subjected to a new sensation. A stir that was not tho result of tho wind or tho rain had taken place in tho forest beforo him A something--he could not tell what —was advancing upon him from tho path ho had himself travelled so short a time before, and its stop, if step it were, shook him with u vague apprehension that made him dread to lift his eyes. But ho conquered tho unmanly instinct, and merely taking tho precaution to step somewhat further back from view, looked in tho direction of his fears, and saw a tall, firmlybuilt woman, whose grandly poised head, held high, in defiance of tho gale, tho lightning, anil tho rain, proclaimed her to ho none other t han Imogcne Dare.

It was a juxtaposition of mental, moral, and physical forces that almost took Mi Byrds breath away. Ho had no doubt whom sho had como to see, or to what sort of tryst ho was about to bo mndo an unwilling witness. But he could not have moved if tho blust then surging through tho trees had uprooted tho huge pine behind which he had involuntarily drawn at tho first impression ho had received of her approach. Ho must watch that white face of hers slowly evolve itself from the surrounding darkness, and ho must ho present when tho dreadful holt swept down from houven, if only to see her eyes in the flare of its ghostly flame. St camo while she was crossing tho glade. I ( icrce, blinding, more vivid and searching , than at any time before, it flashed down through the cringing boughs, and, like a mantle of fire, enveloped her form, throwing out its every outline, and making of the strong anil beautiful face an electric vision which Mr Byrd was never able to forget. A sudden swoop of wind followed, flinging her almost to the ground, but Mr Byrd knew from that moment that neither wind nor lightning, not oven the fear of death, would stop this woman if onco hlio was determined upon any course. Dreading tho next few moments inoxpressibly, yet forcing himself, as a detective, to remain at his post, though every instinct 3f his nature rebelled, Mr Byrd drew him*plf «1» against tho side of the low but and isteiifd. Her voice, rising between tho nuttorings of thunder and tho roar of tho ceaseless gale, was plainly to ho hoard. “ Cruik Mansell,” said sho, in a strained ,ono, that was not without its severity, 4 you sent for mo, and 1 am lioro.”

Ah, this was her mode of greeting, wn: t? M>' Byrd felt his breath* come easier, iiid listened for the reply with intensesi n teres t.

But it did not come. Tho low rumbling >f tho thunder went on, and tho wind lowleil through the gruesome forest, but he man she had addressed did not speak. Cruik !” Her voice still camo from tho loorway where she had seemingly taken ior stand. “Do you not hour mo?” A stilled groan was tho sole reply. ►She appeared to tako ono stop forward »ut no more.

“lean understand,” said she, and Mr Byrd had no difficulty in hearing her words, though tho turmoil overhead was almost deafoning, “ why the restlessness of despair should drive you into seeking this interview. 1 havo longed to see you too, if only to tell you that J wish heaven’s thunderbolts had fallen upon us both on that day when wo sat anil talked of our future prospects and •” t A lurid flash cut short her words. Strange and awesome sounds awoke in the air above, and tho next moment a great branch fell crashing down upon tho roof of tho hut, boating in one corner, and sliding t.heneo heavily to tho ground, where it lay w iHi all its quivoring leaves uppermost, not two feet from tho doorway where this woman stood. A shriek like that of a lost spirit went up from her lips. “ I thought the vongoanco of heaven had fallen !” sho grasped. And fora moment not a sound was heard within or without the hut, savo that low flutter of tho disturbed loaves. 44 It is not to bo,” sho t hen whispered, with a return of her old calmness, that was worse than any shriek. “ Murdor is not to bo avenged thus.” Then, shortly : “ A dark and hideous lino of blood is drawn between you and me, Cruik Mansoll. I cannot pass it, and you must not, forovorandfor over and forever. But that doos not hinder mo from wishing to help you, and so I ask, in all sincerity, What is it you want me to do for you to-day ?” A response came this time. 44 Show me how to escapo tho consequences of my act,” wore his words, uttered in a low and muffled voice. ►Sho did not: answer at onco. “Are you threatened?” hlio inquired at last, in a tone that proved sho had drawn ono stop nearer to the bowed form and hidden face of the person she addressed. “ My conscience threatens mo,” was the almost stifled reply. Again that heavy silence, all tho more impressive that the moments boforo had been so prolific of heaven’s most terrible noises. 44 You suller because another man is forced to endure suspicion for a crimo he never committed,” she whiaperingly exclaimed. Only a groan answered her ; and tho moments grow heavier and heavier, moro and moro oppressive, though tho hitherto accompanying outcries of tho forest hud ceased, and a faint lightening of the heavy darkness was taking place overhead. Mr Byrd felt tho pressure of tho situation so powerfully he drew near to the window ho had hitherto avoided, and looked in. She was standing a foot behind the crouched figure of tho man, between whom and herself she had avowed a line of blood to bo drawn. As he looked she spoke. 44 Cruik,” said hlio, and the deathless yearning of love spoko in her voice at last, 44 thoro is but one thing to do. Expiate your guilt by acknowledging it. Save the innocent from unmerited suspicion, and trust to the mercy of God. It is tho only advice l can give you. 1 know no other road to peace. If J did ” She stopped. choked by tho terror of her own thoughts. “Craik,”sho murmured, at last, “on the day I hear of your having made Huh confession, 1 vow to take an oath of celibacy for life. It is tho only recompense x can offer for the misery and sin into which our mutual mad ambitions havo plunged you.” And subduing with a look of inexpressible anguish an evident longing to lay her hand in final caress upon that bended head, she gave him ono parting look, and then, with a quick shudder, hurried away, anil buried horself amid the darkness of tho wet and shivering woods. CHAPTER XVII. A SURPRISE, Season your admiration for awhile. —Hamlet. When all was still again, Mr Byrd advanced from his placo of concealment, and

softly entered tho hut. Its solitary occupant sat as boforo, with his lioad bont down

upon his clasped hands. But at tho lirst. sound of Mr Byrd’s approach he rose and turned. The shock of tho discovery whieh followed sent tho detoctivo reeling back against, tho door. Tho person who faced him with such quiot assurance was nut Cruik Mansell. CHAPTER XVIII. A BRACK OK DETECTIVES. Hath this fellow no fucliiiß of liis business ! - Hamlet. No action, whether foul or fair. Is ever done, but louves somewhere A record. Longkei.i.ow. “So thoro are two of iih ! 1 thought as much when I lirst set eyes upon your face in Buffalo!” This exclamation, uttorod in a dry and musing tone, woke Mr Byrd from the stupor into whieh this astonishing discovery had thrown him. Advancing upon the i stranger, who in size, shape, and colouring was almost tho fac simile of the person he had so successfully represented, Mr Byrd looked him serutinisingly over. I ho man boro the ordeal with equanimity ; ho oven smiled.

“ You don’t rocogniso me, I see.” Mr Byrd at onco recoiled. “ Ah !” cried ho, “ you are that .luck-in the-box, Brown !” “ Alias Frank Hickory, at your service.*

This name, so unexpected, called up a Hush of mingled surprise and indignation to Mr Byrd’s cheek. “ 1 thought ” ho began. 44 Don’t think,” interrupted the other, who, whon excited, affected laeonieism, “ know.” Then, with affability, proceeded, “ You are tho gentleman— ” ho paid that much def. renco to Mr Byrd’s air and manner, “ who I was told might lend mo a helping hand in this Clemmons affair. I didn’t recognise you before, sir. Wouldn’t, have stood in your way if 1 had. Though, to be sure, 1 did want to see this matter through myself. 1 thought I had the right. And’l vo dono it, too, ns ou must,acknowledge, if you havo been‘present in this terrible placo very long.” This self-satisfied, if not boastful, allusion to a scene in which this strange being had played so unworthy, if not unjustifiable, a part, sent, a thrill of revulsion through Mr Byrd. Drawing hastily back with an instinct of dislike he could not con coal, ho costa glance through the thicket of trees that spread beyond the open door, and pointedly asked :

“Was there no way of satisfying yourself of t he guilt of Cruik Mansell, except, by enacting a farce that may lead to the life-long remorse of tho woman out of whoso love you have made a trap?” A slow (lush, tho lirst, possibly, that had visited tho hardy cheek of this thickskinned detoctivo for years, crept over the face of Frank Hickory. 44 1 don’t mean she shall over know,” ho suddenly protested, kicking at tho block upon which ho had been sitting. “ But it ivas a mean trick,” he frankly enough admitted tho next minute. “ If I hadn’t boon tho tough old hickory knot that 1 am, I couldn t have done it., 1 suppose. The storm, too, made it scorn a bit t rilling. But 7 Well, woll !” he suddenly inter iootod, in a moro cheerful tone, “’tis too late now for tears and repentance. The thing is done and can’t ho undone. And, at all events, I reckon wo arc both sutiafiod now as to who killed Widow Clemmons !” Mr Byrd could not rosist a slight sarcasm. 44 J, thought you were satisfied in t hat regard before? sail! ho. 44 At least, I understood that a certain time you wore vory positive it was Mr Hildreth.” “.So I was,” tho fellow good nutiiredly allowed ; “sol was. The byways of a crime like this arc dreadful dark and uncertain. it isn’t strange that a fellow gets lost some times. But I got a jog on my elbow that sent mo into the right path,” said he, “as, perhaps, you did too, sir, eh ?” ’ Not replying to this latter insinuation, Mr Byrd quietly repeated : “ You got a jog on your elbow? Whon, may 1 ask ?” “ Three days ago, just /” was the emphatic reply. 44 And from whom ?” Instead of roplyiiif., tho man loaned bach against tho wall of tho hut and looked at hi* interlocutor in silcnco. 44 Arc wo going to join hands over this business?” ho cried, at last, “or arc you thinking of pushing your way on alone after you havo got from mo all that I know ?” The question took Mr Byrd by surprise. lie had not thought of tho future. lie was as yet. too much disturbed by his memories of the pust. To hide his dis comlituro, ho began to pace the floor, an operation which his thoroughly wot condition certainly made advisable. “ 1 have no wish to rob you of any glory you may hopo to reap from tho sue cess of tho plot you havo carried on here t o day,” ho presently declared, with some bitterness; 44 but if this Craik Mansell is guilty, 1 supposo it is my duty to help you in the collection of all suitable and proper evidence against, him.” “Then,” said tho other, who had been watching him with rather an anxious eye, 44 let us to work.” And sitting down on the table, ho motioned to Mr Byrd to take a seat upon the block at his side. But the latter kept up bis walk. Hickory surveyed him for a moment in silence, then he said : 44 ou must have had something against, this young man, or you wouldn’t be^here. What is it? What first set you thinking übout Craik Mansell ?” Now, this was a question Mr Byrd could not and would not answer. After what had just, passed in tho hut, he felt it impossible to mention to this man tho name of Imo gone Dare in connection with that of tho nephew of Mrs Glonnnons. He therefore waived tho other’s interrogation and re marked : “My knowledge was rather the fruit of surmise than fiiet,. 1 did not believe in the guilt of Gouvcrneur Hildreth, and so was forced to look about mo for some one whom 1 could conscientiously suspect. f I fixed upon this unhappy man in Buffalo ; how truly, your own suspicions, unfortunately, reveal.” “ And I hail to havo my wits started by a horrid old woman,” murmured tho evidently abashed Hickory. 44 Horrid old woman !” repeuted Mr Byrd. Not Sally Perkins?” “ Yoh. A sweet one, isn’t she ?” Mr Byrd shuddered. “ Tell mo about it,” saiil lie, coming and sitting down in tho seat the othor had previously indieuted to him. “ I will, sir ; 1 will ; but first let’s look at the weathor. Some folks would think it was just as well for you to clmngo that toggery of yours. What do you say to going homo lirst and talking afterwards?” “I supposo it would bo wise,” admitted Mr Byrd looking down ut his garments, 1

whoso decidedly damp condition he had scarcely noticed in his excitement. “ And yet, 1 hate to leave this s|K»t till I learn how you camo to choose it as the scene of tho tragi-comedy you have enacted here to-day, and what jMisition it is likely to occupy in the testimony which you have collected against this young man.” Wait, then,” said tho bustling fellow, 44 till I build you the least bit of a tiro to

warm you. It won’t take but a minute,” ho averred, piling together some old sticks that cumbered the hearth, and straightway sotting a match to them. “.See ! isn’t, that pleasant ? And now, just cast your eye ut, this!” he continued, drawing a comfortablelooking Mask out of his pocket and handing it over to the other with a dry laugh. “Is n’t this pleasant ?’’ And he threw himself down on the floor and stretched out his hands to tho blaze, w ith a gusto which tho dreary hour ho had undoubtedly passed mudo perfectly natural, if not excusable. “I thank you,” said Mr Byrd; “1 didn’t know I w’as so chilled,” anil he, too, enjoyed tho warmth. “And, now,” lie pursued, after a moment, “goon; let us have tho t hing out at onco.”

But the other was in no hurry. “Very good, sir,” he cried; “but, first, if you don’t mind, suppose you tell me what brought yoii to this hut, lo day ?” “ 1 was on the look-out for clues. In my study of the situation, 1 decided that tho

murderer of Mrs Clemmons esea|»ed, not from tho front, but from tho Imek of the house. Taking tho path 1 imagined him to havo trod, 1 came upon this hut. It naturally attracted my attention, and to day I came buck to examine it. more closely in the hope of picking up some signs ol his having been hens, or at least of having passed through the glade on his way to tho deeper woods.” 44 And what if you had succeeded in this, sir? A hat, it some token of his presence had rewarded your search ?” “ 1 should have completed a chain of proof ot which only this ono link is lacking. 1 could have shown how Craik Mansell lied from this place on last Tuesday afternoon, making his way through the woods to tho highway, and them e to the Quarry Station at. Monteith, whore ho took tho train w hich carried him back to Buffalo.” “ You could !—show mo how?” Mr Byrd explained himself more definitely. Hickory at once rose. “1 guess we can give you tho link,” bo dryly remarked. “At all events, suppose you just step hero and tell me w hut conclusion you draw from the uppcuruueo of this pile of In ush.” Mr Byrd advanced ami looked at u small heap of hemlock that lay in a compact mass in one corner. 44 1 have not disturbed it,” pursued tho ot her. “ It is just as it was when 1 found it “ Looks like apillow,” declared Mr Byrd. “Has been used for such, 1 am sure; for sec, tho dust in Hum portion of the floor lies lighter than elsewhere. You can almost detect, the outline of a man’s recumbent form,” he went on, slow ly, leaning dow n to examine the floor more closely. “ As for the boughs, they have been cut from tho tree with a knife, and ” Lifting up a sprig, he looked at it, then passed it over to Hickory with a meaning glance that directed attention t.o ono or two short hairs of a dark brown colour, that were caught, in thorough hark. “ He did not even throw his pocket-handkerchief over the heap before lying down,” ho observed. Mr Hickory smiled. 44 You’re up in your business, I sec.” And drawing bis now colleague to the tublo, he asked him w hat he saw there. At lirst. sight. Mr Byrd exclaimed : nothing, hut. in another moment he picked up an in linitcsmal chin from between the rough logs t hat formed tlio top <>| this somewhat rust ic, piece of furniture, and turning it over in liis hand, pronounced it, to ho a piece of wood from a load pencil. “ Hero are several of them,” remarked Mr llickoiy, “and what, is more, il is easy to tell just, tho colour of the pencil from which they were cut. It was blue.” 44 That is so,” assented Mr Byrd. 44 Quarry-men, charcoal burners, and the like are not. much in tlio habit of shall veiling pencils,” suggested Hickory. “ Is tho pencil now to be found in t lio pocket of Mr Mansell a blue one?” “ It is.” 44 Have you anything more to show mo?” asked Mr Byrd. “ Only this,” responded the other, taking out of his pocket, t he torn oil' corner of a newspaper. “ 1 found this blowing about under tho hushes out there,” said he. “ Look and tell me from what pujier 44 I don t know,” said Mr Byrd ; 44 none that, I am acquainted with.” “ You don’t read the Buffalo ‘Courier?’” “ Oh, is this ” “A corner from tho Buffalo ‘Courier?' I don’t know, hut I mean to find out. if it is, and tho date proves to ho correct., wo won’t havo much trouble übout the littlo link, will wo?” Mr Byrd shook bis bead, ami they again crouched down over the file. “ And, now, what did you learn in Buffalo?” inquired the persistent Hickory. “Not much,” acknowledged Mr Byrd. 44 Tho man Brow n was entirely too übiquitous to give mo my full chance. Neither at tho house nor at the mill was I able to glean anything beyond an admission from the landlady that Mr Munscll wus not at homo at the time of his aunt’s murdor. 1 couldn’t even learn W'liero he was on that day, or w here he had ostensibly gone. If it had not been for tho littlo girl of Mr Good- “ Ali, 1 bad not time to goto thut house,” interjected the other, suggestively. “ 1 should have come home as wise as I went,” continued Mr Byrd. “She told mo that on the day beforo Mr Mansell returned, bo w rote to her father from Montoith, and t/caf settled my mind in regard to him. It was pure luck, however.” Tho other laughed king and loud. “1 didn’t know 1 did it up so woll,” ho cried. “ 1 told tho landlady you were a defective, or ucted like one, and she was very ready to take t he alarm, huving, as 1 judge, a motherly liking for her young boarder! Then I took Messrs Chamberlin and Harrison into my confidence, and having got from them all tho information they could give me, told them there was evidently another man on tho track of this Mansell, and wained them to keep silence till they heard from the prosecuting attorney in Sibley. But 1 didn’t know who you were, or, at least, 1 wasn’t sure ; or, as I said before, 1 shouldn’t liavo presumed.” Tlio short., dry laugh w ith which be ended this explanation bad not ceased, when Mr Byrd observed : “ You havo not told mo w hat you gathered in Buffalo.” 44 Much,” quoth Hickory, reverting to his favourite laconic mode of speech. “First,.

that Mansell went from home on Monday, the day before the murder, for the purpose, as fie said, of seeing a man in New York about hi* wonderful invention. Secondly, that he never went to New York, but came back the next evening, bringing his model with him, and looking terribly used up and worried. Thirdly, that to get this invention before the public had been his pet aim and efFort for a whole year. That ho believed in it as you do in your Bible, and would have given his heart’s blood, if it would have done any good, to start the thing, and prove himself right in his estimate of its value. That the money to do this was all that was lacking, no one believing in him sufficiently to advance him the five thousand dollars considered necessary to build the machine and get it in working order. That, in short, he was a fanatic on the subject, and often said he would be willing to die within the year if he could first prove to tho unbelieving capitalists whom he had vainly importuned for assistance tho worth of the discovery he believed himself to have made. Fourthly—but what is it you wish to say, sir ?” “Five thousand dollars is just the amount Widow Clcmmens is supposed to leave him,” remarked Mr Byrd. “ Precisely,” was the short reply.

“ And fourthly ?” suggested the former. “ Fourthly, ho was in the mill on Wednesday morning, where he went about his work as usual, until some one who knew his relation to Mrs Clcmmens looked up from tho paper he was reading, and, in pure thoughtlessness, cried, ‘So they have killed your aunt for you, have they ?’ A barbarous jest, that caused everybody near him to start in indignation, but which made him recoil as if one of these thunderbolts wo have been listening to this afternoon lmd fallen at his feet. And he didn’t get over it,” Hickory went on. “He had to beg permission to go homo. He said the terrible news had made him ill, and indeed he looked sick enough, and continued to look sick enough for days. He had letters from Sibley, and an invitation to attend the inquest and be present at tho funeral services, but ho refused to go. Ho was threatened with diphtheria, ho declared, and remained away from the mill until the day bofo c yesterday. Some one, I don’t remember who, says he went out of town the very Wednesday he heard the news ; but if so, lie eould not have been gone long, for ho was at home Wednesday night, sick in bed, and threatened, as 1 have said, with the diphtheria. Fifthly ” “ Well, fifthly?” “I am afraid of your criticisms,” laughed the rough detective. “Fifthly is the result of my poking about among Mr Mansells traps.” “Ah!” frowned the other, with a vivid remembrance of that picture of Miss Dare, with its beauty blotted out by the ominous black lines. “ You are too squeamish for a detective,” the other declared. “Guess you’re kept for the fancy business, eh ?” The look M r Byrd gave him was eloquent. “Co on,” said he ; “ let us hear what lies behind your fifthly.” “ Love,” returned the man. “ Lockod in the drawer of this voung gentleman’s table I found some half-dozen letters tied with a black ribbon. 1 knew they were written by a lady, but squeamishness is not a fault of mine, and so 1 just allowed myself to glance over them. They wore from Miss Dare, of course, and they revealed tho fact that love, as well as ambition, had been a motive powe. in determining this Mansell to make a success out of his invention.” Leaning back, the now self-satislied detective looked at Mr Byrd. “The name of Miss Dare,” ho went on, “ brings mo to tho point from which we stalled. I haven’t yet told you what old Sally Perkins had to say to mo.” “No,” rejoined Mr Byrd. “ Well,” continued the other, poking with his foot the dying embers of tho lire, till it started up into a fresh blaze, “the case against this fellow wouldn’t bo worth very much without that old crone’s testimony, I reckon ; but with it I guess we can t?ot along. ” “ us hear,” said Mr Byrd. “The old woman is a wretch,” Hickory suddenly broke out. “ She seems to gloat over the fact that a young and beautiful woman is in trouble. She actually trembled with eagerness as she told her story, If 1 hadn't been rather anxious myself to hear what she had to say, 1 could have thrown her out of tho window. As it was I let her go on ; <luty before pleasure, you see—duty before pleasure.” “But her story,” persisted Mr Byrd, letting some of his secret irritation betray itself.

“Well, her story was this: Monday afternoon, the day before the murder, you know, sho was up in these very woods hunting for witch-hazel. She had got her arms full and was going homo across the bog when she suddenly heard voices. Being of a curious disposition, like myself, 1 suppose, sho stopped, and seeing just before her a young gentleman and lady sitting on an old stump, crouched down in tho shadow of a tree, with the harmless intent, no doubt, of amusing herself with their conversation. It was moro interesting than she expected, and she really became quite tragic as sho related her story to me. 1 cannot do justice to it myself, and 1 sha’n’t try. It is enough that the man whom sho did not know, and tho woman whom she immediately recognised as Miss Dare, wore both in a state of great indignation. That he spoke of sellishncss and obstinacy on the part of his aunt, and that she, in tho place of rebuking him, rcp’icd in a way to increase his bitterness, and lead him finally to exclaim : ‘ 1 cannot bear it ! To think that with just tho advance of tho very sum she proposes to give mo some day, I could make her fortune and my own, and win you all in one breath ! It is enough to drive a man mad to seo all that ho craves in this world so near his grasp, and yet have nothing, not even hope, to comfort him.’ And at that, it seems they both rose, and sho, who had not an.-wered anything to this, struck the tree before which they stood with her baro list, and murmured a word or so which the old woman couldn’t catch, but which was evidently something to the effect that she wished she knew Mrs Clemmons ; for Mansell—of courso it was ho—said, in almost tho same breath, ‘ And if you did know her, what then ?’ A question which elicited no reply at first, but which finally led her to say : ‘ Oh ! I think that, possibly, I might be able to persuade hor. All this.” tho detective went on, “ old Sally related with the greatest force ; hut in regard to what followed, she was not so clear. Probably they interrupted their conversation with somo lovers’ by-play, for they stood very near together, and ho seemed to be earnestly pleading with her. * Do take it,’ old Sally heard him say. « 1 shall feel as if life held some outlook for mo if you will only gratify mo in this respect.’ But she answered : * No ; it is of no use. I am as ambitious as you arc, and fate is evidently against us,’ and put his hand back when he endeavoured to take hors, though she immediately snatched it away again, crying : ‘ I cannot ; you must wait till to-morrow.’ And when he asked : ‘Why to-morrow?’ she answered : ‘ A night lias been known fo change the w hole current of a person's affairs.’ To which ho replied: ‘True,’ and looked thoughtful, very thoughtful, as ho met her eyes and saw her raise that white hand of hers and striko tho tree again

with a passionate force that made her fingers bleed. And sho was right,” concluded tho speaker. “Tho night, or if not the night, the next twenty-four hours, did make a change, as even old Sally Perkins observed. Widow Clcmmens was struck down and Craik Mansell became the possessor of the five thousand dollars he so much wanted in order to win for himself a fortune and a bride.”

Mr Byrd, who had been sitting with his face turned aside during this long recital, slowly rose to his feet. “Hickory,” said he, and his tone had an edge of suppressed feeling in it that made the other start, “don’t let us eve** hear'you say, in my presence, that you think this young and beautiful woman was tho one to suggest murder to this man, for I won’t hear it. And now,” he continued, more calmly, “ tell mo why this babbling old wretch did not enliven the inquest w ith her wonderful tale. It would havo been a fine offset to tho testimony of

“ She said she wasn’t fond of coroners and had no wish to draw the attention of twelve of her own townsfolk upon herself. Sho didn’t mean to commit herself with mo,” pursued Hickory, rising also. “She was going to give me a hint of the real state of affairs ; or, rather, set me working in the right direction, as this little note which sho tucked under tho door of my room at the hotel will show. But I was too quick for her, and had her by the arm before she could shulllo dow'n the stairs. It was partly to prove hor story was true and not a romance made up for tho occasion, that I lured this woman here this afternoon.”

“ You are not as bad a fellow as I thought,” Mr Byrd admitted, after a momentary contemplation of tho other’s face. “If I might only know how you managed to effect this interview'.” “ Nothing easier. I found in looking over the scraps of paper which Mansell had thrown into the waste-paper basket in Buffalo, the draft of a note which ho had written to Miss Dare, under an impulse which he afterward probably regretted. It was a summons to their usual place of tryst at or near this hut, and though unsigned, was of a character, as I thought, to effect its purpose. 1 just sent it to her, that’s all.”

The nonchalance w ith which this was said completed Mr Byrd's astonishment. “ You are a worthy disciple of Gryce,” ho asserted, leading tho way to tho door.

“Think so?” exclaimed the man, evidently flattered at what he considered a great compliment. “Then shako hands,” he cried, witVu v. frank appeal Mr Byrd found it hard to resist. “ Ah, you don’t want to,” no somewhat ruefully declared. “ Will it change your feelings any if I promiso to ignore what happened hero to-day -my trick with Miss Dare and what she revealed and all that? if it will, I swear I won’t even think of it any more if I can help it. At all events, I won’t tattle about it oven to tho superintendent. It shall be a secret between you and me, and she won’t know but wluit it was her lover hlio talked to after all. ” “ You arc willing to do ali this?” inquired Mr Byrd. “ Willing and ready,’’cried tho man. “ I believe in duty to one’s superiors, but duty doesn’t always demand of one to tell everything he knows. Besides, it won’t ho necessary, 1 imagine. There is enough against this poor fellow without that.” “ 1 fear so.” ejaculated Mr Byrd. “ Then it is a bargain ?” said Hickory. “ Yes.” And Mr Byrd held out his hand. Tho rain had now ceased, and they prepared to return home. Be loro leaving the glade, however, Mr Byrd ran his eye over the other’s person and apparel, and in some wonder inquired : “ How do you fellow's ever manage to get up such complete disguises? 1 declare you look enough like Mr Mansell in the back to make me doubt even now' who 1 am talking to.” *' Oh,” laughed tho other, “ it is easy enough. It’s my specialty, you see, and one in which 1 am. thought to excel. But, to tell the truth, I hadn’t much to contend with in this case. In build I am famously like this man, as you must have noticed when you saw us together in Buffalo. Indeed, it was our similarity in this respect that first put the idea of personifying him into my head. My complexion had bco.n darkened already, and, as for such accessories as hair, voice, manner, dress, etc., a live minutes study of my model was sufficient to prime me up in all that—enough, at least, to satisfy tho conditions of an interview w hich did not require me to show my face.” “ But you did not know when you caino here that you would not have to show your face,” persisted Mr Byrd, anxious to understand how this man dared risk his reputation on an undertaking of this kind. “ No, and 1 did not know that the biggest thunderstorm of the season was going to spring up and lend me its darkness to complete the illusion I had attempted. I oidy trusted my good fortune—and my wits,” he added, with a droll demurencss. “ Both had served mo before, and both were likely to serve me again. And, say she had detected me in my little game, what then ? Women like her don’t babble.” There was no reply to make to this, and Mr Byrd’s thoughts being thus carried back to Imogone Dare and tho unhappy revelation.-. she had been led to make, he walked on in a dreary silence his companion had sufficient discretion not to break. To be Continued A lawsuit which has already been going on for three-quarters of a century is to bo revived, and a new court has been added for M. Daudot’s study to tho numerous existing courts of the Kois en Exil in Baris. The wido\y and children of M. NaundorlF, the second son of M. Edmond NaundorlF, tho elockmakcr who avowod himself the lawful son of Louis XVI., are going to vindicate their claims to the title of tho Bourbons, and have served assignations upon the (’ointesse do (’hambord, the Comtes do Baris and de Bareli, and the Due do Barmo. “ Brincoss Amelio ” is already adopting tho manners and etiquette of a Queen. The caso was heard last in 1874, when the l’rincesse secured the eloquent but unsuccessful advocacy of M. .Jules Favre.—“ Ball Mall Gazette.” The opponents of capital punishment will he somew hat exercised by the recent riot at Cincinnati. When in any country 1,500 wilful murders take place in a year, or more than four per diem, and only 93 murderers are hanged, the services of J udgo Lynch are naturally called into requisition. The worst of that expedient is that it often results in tho hanging or shooting of the wrong persons. But even that is popularly felt to be better t*»an allow ing wiful murderers to savo their necks. Bad as has been this business at Cincinnati, it will probably clear the air, and make matters worse for murderers all over the Union for some years to come. And that is a distinct gain.

It is calculated by some American writers that the gross receipts so far during Mr Irving’s live months tour in the United States and Canada have been over £BO,OOO. Tho outlay has, however, been gicat, and the current expenses very heavy. The largest sums have been taken so far in Boston and Chicago, in spite of the extreme severity of the winter, and the smallest in Cincinnati and Baltimore.