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By J. Marsden Sutcliffe,
ENTITLED
fc.THB KOMAMJE OF AS IATSURMCE OFFICE,
Betjtg Passages et the Expkeience op Me. AUGUSTUS WILLIAM WEB
BER, Formerly General Manager of the Universal Insurance Company.
ALL RIGETS
I CaughUn His Own Trap.
CONCLUDED.
IV.
The search for the missing will was not
resumed until the -week following the burial
of the late 'Squire. For one thine. Mr.
"Webber was not anxious to begin the quest
until the excitement occasioned by the news
that the will was not to be found, as the
"Squire had stated, which passed through
the whole household like an electrical shock,
had time to subside. He wished also to
allow Doggett time to discover some clue
before courting the risks of fresh suspicion
that would be certain to arise when once tne
search was begun in good earnest, and
ended as he feared it would end in a bar
ren result.
Doggett or Holmes, as he was known at
Eversleigh soon succeeded in installing
himself a prime favorite in the servants'
hall, though it must be admitted that his
gleanings from that field were few and poor.
He soon learnt, however, that both the cous
ins were '"uncommon sweet on their dear
young lady," but opinion was sharply di
vided among the servants as to who would
prove the lucky man. Both Ralph and
Eric were equally popular; Balph as treated
by the late 'Squire "exactly as his own son,"
and Eric for his genial and courteous man
ners. The servants, too, though closely
watched by the astute detective, were seen
to be thoroughly honest As Bennett
(whom Doggett succeeded in turning inside
out in very little time') observed,'there's
not one of the servants who would injure a
hair of master Ralph's head orHo anything
to vex Miss Eversleigh; and both things
would happen if any of them had tampered
with the wilL" "Besides," he asked, tri--nmphantly.
"whv should they do it? Tell
me that "Why should they do it now?"
One important fact, however, the detect
ive succeeded in worming ont of the butler.
"When he received the 'Squire's clothing,
and Mr. Eversleigh's own instructions to
see that they were brushed and replaced in
his wardrobe, he took them to his own
room and laid them aside.
"I had something else to think about, I
do assure you, just then," said Bennet, "be
sides giving out his clothes to be brushed,
when Dr. Deane came down stairs and told
me the bad news. "When I heard that my
poor dear master was dying, you might have
knocked me down with a feather. Yes, you
might His clothes went clean out of my
head. They were never meddled with until
the next morning, when I emptied the
pockets and gave them to James to brush."
"And the keys we're not there then?"
asked Doggett.
"No, of course not, Mr. Holmes." said
Bennett "Else where Ehould they be
now?" This logic was convincing to the
hearer, who had grown to entertain a hearty
liking for the old servant
And, naturally, you did not Iockyonr
roonfat night?" Doggett-oontinued.
"No, I didn't "We are fell honest people
here, I can tell you."
Here, then, was a clew at last, and one
that seemed worth while following up. If
any persons wanted to obtain possession of
the 'Squire's keys in order to make away
with the will, what was to hinder them
availing themselves of Bennett's absence
from his room during the long, miserable
night when the 'Squire lay dying?
"Phew," cried the detective softly to him
self, as he strode down the avenue of elms,
whither he had retreated to think the mat
ter out without danger of interruption.
"How stupid of me not to have thought of
that before. There can only be one of the
young men for it The only question is,
which of them is the culprit? Is it Eric?
The trick would be too blackguardly for a
nice-spoken fellow like General Vernon's
son to do. When he can have Miss Evers
leigh and a snug fortune with her, as Ben
nett says, for the asking, he could scarcely
be so covetous as to want the whole. There
is only Ralph for it But ihat could be
his little game? To refuse to allow Miss
Eversleigh to act on her father's will un
less she consented to include herself with
the estates? Not a bad idea that I must
have a stricter eye on them both."
The search for the missing will was fixed
to commence after lunch' on the Monday
after the funeral. Mr. "Webber, deciding
that occupation of so exciting a nature
would serve to withdraw Miss Eversleigh
from too much brooding over her loss, ob
tained her consent to assist in the quest
Erie offered his services with alacrity, and
was joined to the party. Balph moodily
stood aloof, declining, for reasons to be dis
closed, to bear a hand. Mr. "Webber
pressed Bennett into the service, who, if
the truth must be told, wonld have been
highly offended it he had been left out in
the cold. Soggett was allowed to remain
master of his own movements, to join in the
search or to employ himself as he pleased.
Mr. "Webber was sitting in the library be
fore lunch when the detective entered the
room.
"I should just like to have a word with
you. sir, before you begin."
"Very good, but make your story as short
as you can."
"It is only to say that I hope yon will
"", find the will, and I think you may."
j, "Why do you think so?r
''Because if this is a stolen will case I
don't think it will ever be unravelled the
culprit in that case has laid his plans too
well. Of the two alternatives I lean to the
idea that the 'Squire mislaid it and then
forgot that he had done so."
"But the keys? How do you get over the
kys?"
"I admit that the keys are important, and
If anybody was bent on destroying the will
they had ample opportunity to do so, for
Bennett did not examine the clothes un
til the morning after."
"That is very important," said Mr. "Web
ber. "Yes, it is important, supposing that
there is a scamp in the house. Is there? If
so; who is it? There are only three persons
for it Miss Eversleigh, MrRalph and Mr.
Eric. Of courte, it is our business to sus
pect everybody, but we must look to mo
tive. The only person interested in the de
struction of the will appears to be Miss
Eversleigh, but that is impossible. Shall
we say Mr. Ralph? It would be a curious
thing for a man to do: destroy a will that
gave him a fine estate like this. Still he
might have some motive for .o mad an act
"By Jove! Doggett"" cried Mr. "Webber,
. "I 'oelieve you have caueht the right pig
by the ear. It is just the thing that that
young man would do, if it entered his
head to suppose that the 'Squire was unjust
in leaving the property awav from his
daughter."
Doggett maintained an unbroken silence,
. 'csgerly watching the countenance of his
. chief.
V ""hynotMr. Eric, if we are to begin
SJ inspecting the family," demanded Mr.
V,ebber snadenly after a pause.
j -Mr. Erie loses a legacy by the disap
pearance of the will. What is his mo
tive?" VHave you considered this question,"
PUBLISHED.:
RESERVED.
said Mr. Webber. "Both the young men
are suitors for Miss Eversleigh's hand.
Let U3 imagine that Mr. Erio is most in
favor. Do you not see that the destruction
of the will would give him both mistress
and estate?"
"I have thought of that," the detective
answered, "but I don't take your view. If
Miss Eversleigh could induce Mr. Ralph to
allow her to act on her father's will, she
might marry Mr. Eric,if she were so minded,
without any compunction. But you cannot
convey an estate to a man who refuses to
have it Mr. Ralph has Miss Eversleigh in
a cleft stick. He has only to stand out
against her determination to act on her
lather's will, when it is not forthcoming, in
order to win her. She must either marry
him or rob him of both estate, and mistress.
She would probably accept him when she
saw no other way of making good to him his
loss of fortune. There is a good reason,
therefore, for suspecting Mr. Ralph; and the
same reason holds good for not suspecting
Mr. Eric If he "is the culprit he will be
caught in his own trap. He is not such a
fool."
"In that case there are two alternative
possible motives to be attributed) to Mr.
Ralph a chivalrous wish to undo his
uncle's act, or a crafty scheme' to put Miss
Eversleigh into your cleft stick and compel
her to marry him whether she cares for him
or not "
"That is so."
So much of this conversation between Mr.
Webber it is necessary to repeat in order.
that what follows may be clearly understood.
Doggett left the room soon afterward and
turned down the corridor leading to the
servants' hall, where Bennett's room was
situated, intending to have a conversation
with that worthy; meditating even a dis
closure of his identity and his errand to
Eversleigh Hall, for by this time he had
formed the highest opinion of the old
servant's trustworthiness. Just as he reachd
Bennett's room, however, Bessie, one of the
upper housemaids, came along, and finding
the room empty Doggett drew her in and
closed the door.
"Look here, Bessie Dance, I want to ask
you a question or two."
"Laws a mnssy, Mister Holmes, what
about?"
"You rememberthe 'Squire being brought
home?"
"In course I do. As if a body would ever
forget that"
"Between the time of the 'Squire coming
home and the next morning, when he died,
did you see anyone enter this room?"
Bessie's answers to the close catechizing
to which she was subjected need not be re
corded. At its close there was a look of
triumph in the detective's eye, and Bessie
resumed her progress upstairs, with her
cheeks in a blaze and her heart thumping
in her breast like a frightened bird. For
had she not taken an oath that she would
not reveal the conversation that she had
been holding with Mr. Holmes, until he
gave her permission, for if she did, it would
be sure to injure Miss Eversleigh?
Meanwhile another interview was going
on in the morning room between Miss Ev
ersleigh nd her cousin Ralph.
Ralph Eversleigh had become strangely
altered since the 'Squire's death. He nad
lived his life as much as possible moodily
apart, refusing to hold communication with
anyone, beyond what the barest civility de
manded. He had scarcely spoken to his
cousin Gwendoline since he led her from
the room where the last breath had depart
ed from her father's body and she had flung
herself on the inanimate clay in a violent
paroxysm of grief. He only met her when
the household came together for the neces
sary meals, and then he would speak no
word unless he was addressed, though his
eyes, like the eyes of some great faithful
watchdog, followed her and hung in mute
imploring pity on her every movement
He cursed his cousin Eric savagely in hi
heart when he heard his profuse expressions
of sympathy, and saw how he strove by
thoughtful attentions to make himself
necessary to his cousin's comfort He
ground his teeth in impotent wrath when
he saw'Gwendoline smile back in Eric's
face though it was a wan and wintry
smile in acknowledgment of Eric's at
tentions. He was roused temporarily out of his
apathy when he heard of the missing will,
bnt his interest ceased immediately when
fee learned that the will left him master of
Eversleigh. He wandered aimlessly through
park and plantation, covering many miles
every day, neglecting to return the salutes
of those who met him, never even appear
ing to see them, so wrapt was he in his
gloomy reflections. It seemed to Gwendo
line as if her father's death or some more
occult cause had "froze the genial current
of his soul" and that he was trying to avoid
her; and her womanly heart went forth in
divinest pity toward this man in whose
breast all hope and all interest in life
seemed to have died away. He had in fact
excited in Gwendoline that compassion
which is so akin to love that "thin par
titions" alone divide the two sentiments.
. If Ralph had known and intended it, he
was taking the course that was best adapted
to bring about the realization of the wish
that lay so near to his uncle's heart But
the death of the 'Squire had acted with a
peculiar effect on Ralph's temperament
For the first time he found himself asking
who was he that he shonld dare to aspire to
the hand of the heiress of Eversleigh?
Had he not all his life long, since the death
of his father, eaten the bread of depend
ence? What right had his uncle to disin
herit his own daughter in his favor? How
conld it be right for him to take advantage
of the position in which the will placed
him, supposing the will were discovered.
"But the will won't be found," Ralph mur
mured to himself with a grim chnckle,
"dead me"n tell no tales and burnt docu
ments don't come to light again."
Balph was proud and now that he had
awoke to his 'position, without fortune or
lands, without a profession by which he
could make his own way in the world, it
seemed to his morbid self-consciousness that
it was nothing less than presnmption for
him-to dream of renewing his suit Men
would stigmatise him as a fortune-hunter,
and he wonld Buffer in his own self-respect
forever. With Eric, whop his jealousy
taught him that Gwendoline was disposed
to favor, it was different Erio enjoyed a
handsome allowance from his father, whose
wealth would enable him to make such a
provision, for his eldest son as would save
him from the impntation of seeking his
cousin's love from mercenary motives.
Altogether Ralph felt that his cup was
very bitter; and now that Gwendoline
seemed removed entirely ont of his reach
his love for the'beautiiul and high-spirited
girl was fast slipping out of his control.
He was setting out for one of his daily
peregrinations, when he was arrested by a
message that Miss Eversleigh wished to see
him in the morning room.
His heart leaped within him he could
not help that as he entered the room and
Gwendoline welcomed him with snch a
smile as he had not seen herbestow on Eric;
but he pulled himself sharply together and
stood there in the middle ot the room like a
figure carved in stone.
"Won't you sit down. Balph?" Gwendo
line asked timidly, while a scarlet blush
dyed her cheeks, tor now Balph had come
to her at her bidding she was at a loss how
to begin. She meant in her pity for him to
bring some balm to his wounded spirit, and,
if needs be, to chide him for his conduct
that was adding so crnelly to her distress.
But she was half afraid now that he stood
before her.
He took a seat near her, and then, placing
her cold hand on his, which burned as if he
were consumed by some inward fever, she
gathered'eourage.
"I want you to join in the search for poor
papa's will, Ralph."
"I cannot do that," he said.
"Why not?- Come, tell me tell me every
thing." "There Is nothing to tell," he answered
gloomily, "only I thonght you knew me
better, Gwendoline, than to suppose that I
would do anything to disinherit you. You,
whom I love beyond everything else." He
had not meant to refer to his love, but the
speech escaped him before he knew it
"But, Ralph, you are laboring under a
serious mistake," persisted- Gwendoline
gently. "Do you not know that Eversleigh
has alwavs gone to an Eversleigh, time out
of mind, in the male line. And you are for
getting that I am not disinherited. The
will secures to me a large sum of money, too
large for my requirements I am afraid. I
shall not know what to do with it"
"Say no more, Gwendoline," said Ralph,
rising from his seat "This talk is useless.
I shall never be master of Eversleigh. That
I swear."
"That is nonsense," Gwendoline replied
quickly. "When the will is found you will
be master here, whether you like it or not"
"The will won't be found," said Ralph,
with a bitter laugh.
At this, Miss Eversleigh rose from her
seat, and placing her hand on Ralph's arm,
fixed her bine eyes, that were filled yith
tears, searchingly upon 'his face.
"Forgive me, Ralph," she said tenderly,
"I do not wish to give you pain, but your
manner is so strange that I must ask the
question. Have you destroyed the will?"'
"What should put such a thought as that
into your head?" asked Ralph, evasivelv.
"If you have not destroyed the will,"
said Miss Eversleigh, ignoring "Ralph's
question, "it must be found. It can only
have been mislaid."
"Let ns hope that it will never be
found. It can be no good. If it is recov
ered I shall bid you farewell forever."
"This is 'madness, Balph sheer mad
ness." ,
"Well, I am mad," replied Ralph, stub
bornly. "What of that? Men have gone
mad for less, I think."
"I cannot understand you, Ralph,"-said
Miss Eversleigh in a pained and perplexed
tone.
"Let us bring' this interview to a close, J
uwenuoune. j. uo not expect you to under
stand me. You never cared to. I don't say
that to reproach you, God forbid. But, at
least, you can understand this. The only
friend I ever had in all the world is gone.
There is no loneliness like mine. What
care I for houses or lands now?"
"You forget, Ralph," said Gwendoline,
with some dignity, "that my loss is as great
as yours. Some would think it greater."
""So, I do not forget that, Gwendoline,"
exclaimed Ralph gently, and then added,
with a bitterness of tone that pained and
shocked Gwendoline, "but for you there is
comfort; for me none."
''Comfort.Ralph? How can you say so?"
cried Gwendoline faintly.
"Ay, comfort! The mistress of Evers
leigh will soon have lovers in plenty."
The keen anguish with which this last
scarcely veiled reproach was uttered cut
Grendoline deeply, and her bosom heaved
wildly at the thought of what she was about
to do. A moment more and she would have
flung herself on his breast and whispered in
his ear, "Take mc to your heart, Ralph, and
let us comfort each other." But Ralph had
not the instinct to read the signs of waver
ing in her flushed face, her heaving breast,
and the look of intense sorrowful yearning
that she cast upon him. He spoke, and his
next speech destroyed the spell.
"Let this end, Gwendoline," he said,
hastily. "It is painfnl for both, and can do
no good. I swear solemnly that there exists
no power that can keep me at Eversleigh.'
"Be it so," answered Gwendoline,proud
ly, feeling her efforts scorned. "I have
done. I will plead no more."
Ralph tnrned on his heel and left her
left her too quickly to hear the passionate
sobbing of the woman whom he had left be
hind. For at last the woman's heaTt within
her spoke loudly. Pity had completed what
her father's dying words had begun what
had been begun in her long before, if Ralph
had been a wiser lover.
"Oh, Ralph, .Ralph, come back tome,"
she cried. "'We are alone together, and I
love you, I love you," and she buried her
face in the couch on which she had flung
herself when the door closed on Ralph.
vBut Balph had passed out of earshot, and
when night fell there was another mvstery
added to the mystery already reigning at
Eversleigh Hall, for Ralph did not return.
He had gone and left no trace behind.
V.
A month passed after Ralph's disappear
ance. No tidings had been received from
him, and the search for the missing will
was at an end. The house had been
searched from top to bottom. It had been
renewed, and the same process repeated,
with futile result Eric had borne a prin
cipal part in the quest, and Doggett, too,
had worked side by side with him, assisting
to unravel the mysterious disappearance of
the wilL
There was no room for doubt that the will
had been stolen. Mr. Webber, in his. recoil
from the dark suspicions opened out, would
fain have found a loophole for escape by
falling back on the supposition that the
'Squire's mind had been wandering, but
Miss Eversleigh's testimony on this point
was so clear and emphatic that there was
no other alternative left The will had been
mysteriously spirited away. But with what
object and by whom?
There was only Erie or Ralph for it But
who could suspect the open-minded and
candid Eric, who hatf'labored more assidu
ously than they all to unearth the missing
document?. Ralph's disappearance on the
very day when the search was resumed
wore an ugly look; and Mr. Webber found
himself driven to the conclusion that some
over-scrnpulous regard for the interests of
his cousin had led Ralph to destroy the
will and secure to her the inheritance to ther
Eversleigh estates.
When Doggett was asked his opinion on
the matter he confessed himself unable to
decide. He had a clew so he said but of so
fragile a character that he must ask to be
allowed to retain it in his own breast, 'or the
only chance he had of working it out to a
successful conclnsion would be cone.
"Do yon mean that I am not to kno;
PITTSBUIIG, SATURDAY, APEIL 27, 1889.
what it is?" asked Mr. Webber, doubtfully.
"That is my meaning, sir. It is.better
for the interests of all parties that you
should place the fullest confidence in me,
and for this reason. Ifis probable that I
may have to take the most desperate venture
I hate ever taken yet. If so, you will be
thankful, when it is over, that you were
not drawn into it, and that it was attempted
without even your knowledge." ,
Mr. Webber's confidence in his private
inquiry agent was so great that he deemed
it advisable to take the hint, and leave
Doggett to his" own devices.
'"Perhaps you would not mind mention
ing this evening at dinner, when the serv
ants are about, that you intend to call in
the services of two experienced detectives.'
Mr. Webber looked curiously at the ex
pressionless face of the detective, and gave
a quick nod of intelligence.
"I seel You want to try what fear will
do."
"That's about it"
The next morning Gwendoline heard that
her consin Eric was about to leave.
"Is it true that you are going, Eric?' she
asked.
"Yes, I was thinking of going to-day," he
replied. "If I could be of any assistanceby
remaining I would do so. But I have al
ready remained longer than I intended,
what with uncle's death and the plaguey
bother about this will."
"It is very strange what can have become
of it," Gwendoline answered -musingly.
"And it is still more strange what has be
come of poor Ralph!" .... .,
"I would not trouble about that,' said
Eric, lightly. "Ralph is all right. You
may depend upon that."
Something in his tone jarred on Gwendo
line's ear, and she declined to pnrsue the
subject further.
"Coming back to your determination to
leave us-r-" she said.
"Do not say determination to leave us,
said Erio in a tender tone. '"You know how
willingly I would stay on. But now that
the search is over, people might make re-
"What about?" asked Gwendoline in
some confusion.
"They might sav that I was remaining
behind to take advantage of the heiress of
Eversleigh, and that would never do. I
mean to return later if you will allow me."
"You know I shall be pleased to see you
again," Miss Eversleigh said.
"You have been very good. But please
don't hint at that I shall never marry;"
and her eyes dropped as she breathed a sigh
for the absent Ralph.
Eric flattered himself that he had too
much experience of the sex to be dismayed
by this announcement The 'Squire's death
was too recent; and the trouble about the
missing will was""pressing too heavily upon
her for Gwendoline to have thoughts of
marriage in her mind. That-was Eric's
interpretation of the declaration of celibacy.
He was confident that he had made good
running since he came down to Eversleigh,
and now that Ralph was out of the way he
was too astute a campaigner to press his
advantage permaturely. He would trust to
time anal absence to ripen matters.
Eric decided to leave by the last train
that left Bemerton for London. Bemerton
is connected with the main line by a loop
line, some 15 miles from the famons West
ern junction. Gwendoline proposed that
dinner should be served at an earlier hour
to suit Eric's arrangements.
There was a look of sadness on- Gwendo
line's face as the hour of parting drew near,
from which Eric drew rapid conclusions in
favor of his suit when the" time came for
him to urge it His spirits rose, and h lin
gered over dinner, partaking freely of wine,
until he broke off with a start
"Bennett," he criedj as he pulled out his
watch and noted the time, "hasn't Jenkins
brought round the dog-cart yet?"
"I will inquire, sir," the butler replied,
demurely. He returned with the announce
ment that Jenkins had been waiting with
the dog-cart full quarter of an hour.
"Why didn't the fellow send in?" asked
Eric. "This is cutting it fine with a ven
geance. There is barely time to catch the
train."
"You will come back if you miss it?"
Gwendoline'exclaimed.
"No, I think not We must drive to the
junction in that case and catch the express,"
Eric replied, "But let us hope we shall
catch the train."
Eric's farewells were hastily said, and
in a moment more he was seated by Jenk
ins' side driving rapidly in the direction of
Bemerton.
But Jenkins had reasons of his .own for
desiring that Erie's progress to Bemerton
should be delayed. There was a heavy fog
qn, and though Jenkins was wont to declare
that he could drive for 20 miles round Ever
sleigh blindfold, he managed .to take a
wrong' turn that carried tEem some miles out
ot their tracK.
"Well, I'm Mowed if we haven't taken
the road 'to Shenton," he cried.
"Hang it, madman," exclaimed Eric,
wrathfully, ''what do you mean by playing
me a trick like that?"
'Couldn't help it, sir," answered Jenkins.
"In this 'ere fog you can see nothing."
When Eric arrived at Bemerton station
he found the train had gone.
"No matter," he cried, "you must drive
me to the Junction." i-
Meanwhile Doggett was engaged at the
Junction, where .Eric .was bound, in close
conversation with an official.
"I hope I make my meaning quite clear,"
he was saying. "We don't want to arrest
him here. In fact we cannot do it, because
the warrant is at the other end. All the
same, we cannot afford to lose sight of our
man until we are met at Paddington, We
must travel with him."
"We are always glad to be able to serve
you, gentlemen," said the official, smiling,
"and if it can be done it shall be."
"It mnst be done," said Doggett, slipping
a sovereign into the man's hands. "It is as
much as my berth is worth to let him slip."
"You are sure he will make for this sta
tion?" asked the man.
"Quite sure," replied Doggett; "unless
he is delayed by this fog. He will come
driving up in a dog-cart drawn bv a, blue
roan. Can't mistake the color. But my
mate will point him out All vou have to
do is to choose your orn man to meet him.
He will want a carriage to himself, and his
luggage with him. Let the porter see he
has all he wants, and lock him in. Then at
the last moment you come and fetch me and
bustle me and my mate into the carriage
with him. and trust us to hand him oyer all
right at the other end."
The .plan thus sketched oqt was agreed
upon, and when Eric arrived at the Junc
tion, the burly porter needed no hint'from
Doggett's mate to tell him that this was
the man whose coming was so eagerly looked
for.
"Here, porter, take these two portman
teaus for tho up express," cried Eric,
Vernon, jumping quickly down, and stamp
ing his feet on the pavement to restore the
circulation in his limbs, which had been
chilled by the long ride' i,n the cold, raw fog,
"More suggestive of November than the first
week in May. The spring had turned off
cold that year, and the night that Erio
selected for his journey was the coldest and
most unpleasant that a late spring had
brought
He waited while the porter obtained as
sistance and carried his luggage to the plat
form. "No, I shall not want them labeled," he
said, arresting the man's movement "You
can manage me a first-class to myself, I dare
say,, and I wjll have these two portmanteaus
in the carriage with me."
TTnvinrr oattlAiJ 1.7a wn n mam An to T1..
lighted a cigar and adjourned to the re
freshment room, where he called for a
brandy. There was still an honr to wait
before the express was due. But Erio
managed to while away the time by Bharp
exercise up and down the long and dreary
platform, with occasional adjournments to
the refreshment room in search of cold
brandies.
At last the train rushed in. There was
ten minutes to wait before the express re
sumed its journey, but Eric at once took
his place in the carriage which an obliging
porter reserved for his use, with his two
portmanteaus on the seat opposite.
When the train was about to start the
porter, who had mounted guard over the
carriage, touched his cap and remarked,
"You will do all right, sir. The passengers
are taking their places."
"Many thanksl" said Eric, sliding a
bulky silver Image of Her Majesty into the
man's hand, who touched his cap once more
and, having wished hima pleasant journey,
walked away.
A piercing scream from the engine whistle,
and at the last moment the dooTof the car
riage was flung open, and a superior official
stood bqwing an entrance to an elderly gen
tleman with grey hair and whiskers and
reverend aspect, muffled up from head to
foot, who was accompanied by his man
servant A smothered curse rose to Eric's
lips at the invasion, but it was useless to
protest He had not engaged the compart
ment, and the uniform of the official sug
gested an officer who was above the corrupt
ing influence of "tips." The stranger
seemed (o Eric to be troubled with an asth
matical cough, and in this circumstance he
saw an element of hope.
"Beg pardon, sir," he said, "this is a
smoking carriage, and I am afraid my cigar
will annoy you."
"Not at all, not at all smoke myself,"
the stranger testily replied, glaring angrily
from under the pent-house of his bushy,
gray eyebrows at this plain hint that his
presence was resented as an intrusion.
Even as he spoke the signal was given.
Another shrill scream from the whistle and
the train was in motion. As it glided ont
of the station the lights on the platform
twinkled faintly in the fog and disappeared.
There was no further stop until London was
reached.
The old gentleman coiled himself into his
corner and composed himself to ''sleep, his
servant carefully arranpintr the rnrra nvpr
his knees. This done the valet followed the
example of his master.
The lamp in the carriage burned dimly,
and was rendered more faint by the fog that
penetrated within. The ligdt was too ob
scure to read by, and Eric, upon whom his
repeated "nipB" had begun to tell, thought
he could not do better than snatch an hour's
repose. He flung his cigar away, and in a
few minutes hie stertorous breathing pro.
claimed that he was in deep sleep.
. Then a strange thing happened. The
elderly gentleman suddenly awoke and
danced searchingly at the sleeper. Next
he quicklw divested himself of his traveling
cap, muffler, coat, wig, and the rest of the
"properties" of his disguise, and stood forth
in his own proper character Doggett, the
detective.
His companion simply took off his coat
and rolled np his shirt sleeves, displaying
the brawny muscles of a pair of "arms'that
would have done credit to a prize fighter.
"Sound asleep, Joe?" Dogget whispered
below his breath.
"Sound as a church, '"was the laconic reply-
Doggett next drew forth from his pocket
a coil of thin, but well-strained rope, a
manilla, and made it ready for use.
"Now Joe," he said.
At the signal, his companion threw him
self upon the sleeping Eric, and pinned him
fast; while Doggett, with marvelous celerity,
coiled the rope round and round, twisting
it this way and turning it that, until, be
fore Eric could recover from the astonish
ment and terror into which the sudden at
tack had thrown him, he found himself
bound hand and foot, after the the manner
of the Davenport Brothers, his arms securely
fastened to his side, and his legs fastened as
though they Were in the stocks.
"I thought I had not forgotten the old
trick," said Dogeett, with a triumphant
chuckle over his exploit "Now, Joe, out
with his keys, and look alive."
The light was too dim for Eric to recog
nize his assailants, and he had not the re
motest suspicion of their real purpose; not
unnaturally concluding that he was the
victim of an audacious railway robbery, and
momentarily expecting that the pair wonld
shoot him through the carriage door, and
leave him to make his bed on the permanent
way.
But while the two men were busily en
gaged overhauling the contents of his two
portmanteaus, the train, which was rushing
onward at CO miles an hour, dashed through
Beading station, and the lights on the plat
form adding something to the illumination
of the carriage lamp, Eric for the first time
caught a glimpse of Doggett's well-remembered
features.
"Holmes!" he exclaimed, as the station
lamps flashed full on the detective's fase.
"Ten thousand devils! Curse you!"
Just then Doggett drew forth from the
second portmanteau the missing will.
"Here it is," he cried, ignoring Eric's
wrath. "The last Will and Testament of
Balph. Eversleigh, of Eversleigh Hall,
Esquire."
VL
The detective's suspicions had jastenedjon
Eric Vernon as the real delinquent in the
matter from the time that he held his inter
view with Bessie Dance, the housemaid, in
Bennet's room, to which reference was made
in a former chapter. When the detective
questioned the maid on her knowledge of
the persons who had entered Bennet's room
in the interval between the home-bringing
of the injured 'Squire and his death on the
following morning, he expected that that
was only the beginning of a longVxamina
tion of the servants. But it appeared that
Bessie had seen Mr. Vernon late in the
evening quit Bennet's room, looking round
him carefully as he did so, as though he
were afraid of being seen. When once the
detective had discovered that Erio
had obtained access to the room
containing the clothes of the
'Squire, in the pockets of which it
was probable the missing keys then were,
he entertained no doubt that Eric for some
motive that he could not fathom had
stolen the keys and purloined the will. At
all events, he felt persuaded that he had a
cine to work upon at last. He accordingly
joined the search party with the express ob
ject of keeping an eye on Eric, and what he
saw only tended to confirm his suspicions.
Eric's activity in the quest was beyond all
praise. He showed himself keen and eager;
and when the rest began to lose heart, he
alone maintainedasanguinedemeanour and
continued to speak hopefully. If a
fresh suggestion were made it was snre to
come from his lips. So admirably did Eric
behave that to the watchful eye of the de
tective he seemed a splendid actor, but was
at last set down as overdoing his part
It was at Eric's suggestion that they set
out on a second search, in which Doggett
took no part The detective stood out o f
the game that Eric was playing in the hope
that some plan might present itself for an
examination of Erio's bedroom without at
tracting the attention of the servants.
It was, as Doggett subsequently described
it, a case of "touch and go." He had only
good cause for suspicion to go upon. If
through any action of his, Eric became sus
pected by the household, and the suspicion
should turn out erroneous, the result would
be seriously to compromise Mr. Webber,
who had introduced a prying servant into
the honse, and one so lost to all sense of
duty that he had even dared to insinuate
anything against so honorable and upright
a young man as Mr. Vernon, who occupied
an assured position.
It was not easy to obtain an entrance into
Eric's room unperceiyed. Doggett, who
overheard Eric one day confessing to Mr.
Webber that he was a heavy sleeper, deter
mined at last to effect an entrance by night
He waited until the great clock that stood
in the hall struck out the hour two hours
after midnight He found Eric's room se
curely fastened. The next night he ob
tained a ladder and renewed the attempt
from the outside, bnt discovered to his mor
tification that the ladder was too short for
his purpose. There was another ladder kept
near the stables, but this was too heavy
for him to carry single handed, and,
though at his wit's end, he hesitated to take
a second person, even the trusty Bennet,
into his confidence.
At last fortune favored him. The coveted
entrance was obtained after a third attempt,
but only for the detective to find that fresh
difficulties awaited him. The keys that he
had brought with him would not fit the
locks he wished to try. He was compelled
to delay until he could procure a complete
set of housebreaking apparatus, and when
this arrived he had again to watch his op
portunity to renew his attempt But a
fresh disappointment awaited him, when,
after opening Eric's portmanteaus and the
wardrobe and drawers in his room, he found
no trace of the document that he was search
ing for.
Then he decided to wait until something
should occur to call for Mr. Vernon's de
parture from Eversleigh. He communicated
with Joe Watson, the companion in his
exploit, who had accompanied him on many
a hair-breadth's adventnre before, and find
ing Joe at liberty laid his plans accord
ingly. Eric took fright, as Doggett expected he
would do, when Mr. Webber announced his
intention to call in the aid of detectives and
made arrangements, as we have seen, to de
part on the following day.
Doggett noislessly followed Erio upstairs
on the last evening of his stay, and with his
eye and ear alternately at the key hole
learned enough to convince him that Erio
had taken the will, and for some hidden rea
son had neglected W destroy it Thereupon,
he decided to 'invoke Bennett's assistance;
and the plan was hit upon, that by whatever
train Eric elected to travel, Jenkins shonld
contrive by some mishap on the road to
cause him to miss the train, and drive Eric,
in his hurry, to be gone, to avail himself of
the express. The plan was exposed to sev
eral risks, bqt Doggett knew that he would
not be entirely at the end of his resources if
it came to grief. As we have seen, the fog
came in to assist them, and Jenkins carried
out his part in the game successfully.
Nothing could exceed Eric's dismay when
he recognised the detective and saw the
stolen will dragged from his portmanteau
in which he imagined it to be securely hid
den. He knew that his theft laid him open
to a criminal prosecution, and on his fears
the detective played with great art, and
brought matters to a conclusion.
He explained that he was employed by
Mr. Webber, who, as the executor under
the will, would take what proceedings he
thought proper without troubling Miss
Eversleigh in the matter, and that he
(Eric) had nothing to hope for. Eric
turned pale at this statement, declaring
himself ready to promise anything if the
matter could be hushed up, "Whereupon
Doggett, drawing the long bow considera
bly, avowed that his instructions were of
the most precise character. They were to
hand over-Eric to the police immediately
on the arrival of the train in London. But
mercy might be shown to him on one condi
tion that Erio should write a confession of
his guilt in terms approved of by the de
tective. If he complied with the. terms
there would .be no proceedings, and the
affair would be allowed to be forgotten.
Eric agreed to the terms proposed, but re
fused to the last to humor the detective bv
disclosing the hiding-place of the will at
eversleigh.
The next day Doggett returned to Ever
sleigh, carrying with him the will whose
disappearance had created so much per
plexity, and Eric's confession in the follow
ing terms:
"I Eric Vernon, lately of Eversleigh
Hall, do hereby admit and say that the will
of my uncle, the late 'Squire of Eversleigh,
was stolen by me. Iy motive in so doing
was the belief that when my cousin Ralph
realized that he was without means of any
kind, he would withdraw from his pursuit
of Miss Eversleigh. I swear that this was
my only motive, though I did not mean to
restore the will except inka certain event
that has not happened, and further than
this I decline to say."
The confession was dnly signed and wit
nessed, and prodnced a great shock on Miss
Eversleigh's mind when she received it
from Mr. Webber's hands shortly after the
detective's return. .
"What can he mean," asked Miss Ever
sleigh, "by saying that he did not mean to
restore the will except In a certain event
that has not happened?"
"Do you really wish for my opinion?"
asked Mr. Webber.
"I do very much," Miss Eversleigh an
swered. "I think he meant to use the will as a
means of terrorising you. If you had de
clined his attentions, he would have threat
ened you with the loss of your estates, per
haps even shown you the will to prove that
his threats were not idle. In any case, by
restoring the will he would have taken what
he considered his revenee upon you for
' Ti-rii-it.r. ctmo itViaw e.i4
t "Poor cousin Eric, now deeply he has
sinned," was all that Gwendolinecould find
to say; and after that the name of Eric Ver
non was never mentioned at Eversleigh
again.
The reco.very of the will deepened Miss
Eversleigh's anxiety to discover the where
abouts of her cousin Ralph. Neither she
nor Mr. Webber, who shared her anxieties,
had neglected hitherto to take steps to de
termine Ralph's movements on the morning
of his interview with Gwendoline, but now
that Doggett was at liberty the matter was
confided to him.
'I feel sure you will finoThim," said Miss
Eversleigh, "and when you do, please tele
graph to me and I will come at once. It
will be best that he should hear what has
happened from my lips."
The detective smilingly took his leave,
chuckling to himself as he thought: "That
precious tool, Eric Vernon, has overreached
himself; fallen a victim to his own cupidity.
If he had let the will alone, he would have
?ron the'woman, though he would have lost
the estate. Now he has lost both estate and
mistress, too. Decidedly a case of caught in
his own trap."
- Ralph's movements were difficult to trace.
He had been seen in Bemerton on the after
noon after his interview with Gwendoline,
but after that all trace of him was lost But
the old and simple plan of advertisements
offering a reward for information brought
about the desired result Dogget had been
absent some time when information reached
him which enabled him to telegraph as fol
lows: "Been very ill. Is now recovering. Ad
dress The Georget Shrewsbury."
Italph, after leaving his cousin Gwendo
line, suddenly resolved that he would not
subject himself to the risks of another in
terview with Gwendoline, lest he shonld be
tempted to for;o his purpose of keeping
silence on the subject of his love, which he
had come to feel that he, a penniless man,
had noright to speak 'ot to his wealthy
cousin. He set out walking toward Bemer
ton undecided what step to take, until it
flashed across him that his mother's rela
tives lived in Shropshire, and that he would
take shelter with them until he had time to
think out his plans. "Who knows," he
thought, "but I may settle down among
them, the humblest rustic of them all? "
His mother's relatives, he knew, were
farmers, and at this moment the only thing
that occurred to hii was to carry the only
knowledge he had acquired to the most like
ly market that he knew or- In his per
turbed state of mind he found walking a
relief to him; and he accordingly set out to
walk to Shropshire. But after getting sev
eral times drenched to the skin his strength
gave way, and after arriving at Shrewsbury
he took to. his bed and awoke in a high state
of fever. He was nearly convalescent now
when Doggett found him, through the com
munications of the kind-hearted landlady.
Miss Eversleigh set out for Shrewsbury,
accompanied by her maid, immediately on
the receipt of Doggett's telegram. The
next day, when Ralph was sitting up for
the first time, the landlady bustled into the
room,, saying, "There's a lady to see you,
sir."
Before Balph csuld recover from his sur
prise Gwendoline was kneeling at his feet
with her arms thrown round his neck, and
her smiling face raised to his. Gwendoline
looked very lovely as she knelt there, for
though the griefs through which she had
gone, and the trying anxieties of the past
tew weeks, that seemed to her now like an
ugly dream, had told upon her, her excite
ment and joy on seeing Ralph again, had
smoothed out the lines of care from her face
and dyed her softly-rounded cheeks with
deep rosy red. Ralph thought he had never
seen her look so lovely before.
"Kiss me, Ralph," she said, after they
had remained awhile, with eyes fastened on
each other. "Kiss me," she repeated, with
a touch of her old imperiousness.
Ralph kissed her on the brow.
"Not there, you foolish boyj" Gwendoline
said gailv. "On my lips, quick."
"Can this be true?" said Ralph, slowly,
after he had kissed her. "Or am I deceiv
ing myself?"
"Can what be true?" asked. Gwendoline.
"Is it that you are here, or am I dream
ing?"
"Very much here I should say,
'said
Gwendoline, with a sou low laugn.
"Has the will been found?" asked Ralph.
"Now.not a word about the will, Ralph,"
answered Gwendoline. "I am mistress of
Eversleigh, you know. You settled it so, if
you remember. Do you wish to go back on
your word?"
"You know better than that," said Ralph,
sadly. "It passes my comprehension how
my uncle could have imagined that I would
succeed to Eversleigh. It belonged to you
of right. What has old world customs got
to do with sueh matters?"
"Then you are quite content that I should
remain mistress of Eversleigh?" asked
Gwendoline, and there was a look of mis
chief in her eye, which, however, Ralph
failed to notice.
"Quite content"
"Nevertheless I must break the spell of
your illusion, Ralph," went on Gwendo
line. "Yon are the" master of Eversleigh."
"How so, if the will is not found?" asked
Ralph.
"Because you are the -master ot its mis
tress' heart"
"Gwendoline!" exclaimed Ralph, tremb
ling now with mingled apprehension and
delight, doubting whether he understood
her meaning.
"It is true, quite true," said Gwendoline
with -downcast eyes.
Ralph drew her to his breast, and as he
held her there the throbbing of her heart
told him all that he wished to know, and
this time when his lips sought hers she re
turned his kiss.
Then she told him everything of Eric's
sin and Doggett's strategy, and her own
little ruse in keeping back from him infor
mation of the recovery of the stolen will,
lest the renewal of their former dispute re
specting the succession to Eversleigh should
provoke the rise of feeling that would keep
them asunder all their lives.
"You did not know that I was a fortune
hunter before," She said, merrily, when she
had finished her story.
"My darling!" he exclaimed; and he
kissed her again and again, while Gwendo
line nestled closer to his breast
"I do not nnderstand it," Ralph said,
presently. "When did you begin to love
me?" the question that lovers will always
ask from their mistresses.
"I think I have always loved you.Ralph,"
Gwendoline said, softly.
"Bnt you did not show it," said Ralph,
doubtfully.
"No, you were my sulky bear, and didn't
go the right way. Bnt you were my sulky
bear all the time. And then, when I knew
no change in me would produce any change
in you, that you would love me still, what
ever came that I was necessary to you, in
fact why, I was pleased where is the
woman that wonld not be? and I meant to
tell you all this before, but you went
away."
"But Eric "
"Not a word about Eric. That was only
a passing infatuation because you were
rude. Do you know what poor dear papa
said? He said that Eric was Eric, and
thoughtful for himself very thoughtful."
"The 'Squire was right," said Ralph with
emphasis.
Ralph reigns at Eversleigh now, and
makes, as Gwendoline predicted, a good
master and a good landlord to his tenants.
He is very happy and very proud of his
beautiful wife, lor, as he says, "She not
only gave me herself, but if Eversleigh had
not been left to me she would have given
me Eversleigh too. I hold all I have in
trust for her and our children."
1 THE end.
Next Saturday,
"AN OUO JIAN'.S DARLING."
AN OLD BAT'S CAUTION.
A Mother's Rodent's Cnro for the Health of
Her Tonne Illustrated.
Officer Farrellln Globe-Democrat. J
One very warm night last summer I hap
pened to be standing in the bacic yard of a
representative rockery in Clabber alley near
an old chicken coop. The moon was shin
ing upon the coop, and as I stood in the
shadow of the house I noticed the head of a
gray and grizzled rat thrust from a neigh
boring rathole, and conclnded to watch the
movements of the veteran. After a careful
survey of the surroundings, the old rodent
made cautious exit from the home retreat
and moved cautiously to a pan of water
standing near. Presently five half-grown
young ones rnshed out 'and raced to see
which was the first to the water. The old
rodent seemed much alarmed, and, with a
with a bound, leajed to the edge of the
pan, raised herself on her haunches and bit
and scratched at her offspring whenever
they attempted to reach the pan.
Presently I learned the reason of the
mother rat's action. After she had suc
ceeded in chasing the young ones back into
their hole, she wet her whiskers in the
water, looted rather snspiciously about,and
sipped the water very cautiously, as if to
whether or not it contained poisonous or
deleterious matter. Then, after a satisfied
glance all round.she gave a squeak, and the
five young rats came running out and all
drank their fill. The nofse of the sergeant's
club at the corner of the house frightened
them off and I had to go.
Twins With bat Ono Set of Teeth,
Lewlto Journal.
"Speakin of twins," said the old man
Chumpkins, "there was two boys raised in
our neighborhood that looked just alike till
their dyin' day. Lem didn't have any
teeth and his brother, Dave, did, but they
looked pre-cisely alike all the same. The
only way you could tell 'em apart was to
put your finger in Lem's mouth and if he
bit yer, 'twas Dave."
LADY CAMPBELL saFxASft;
to-morrow Dispatch, in which the detcriits
the good work done by EnglUh musical tocie
ties in awakening a Ins Jar sntwto n (As
masses.
sr,
BEATS' GOLD HIM&
'i
This Season's Enormous Catch of Seals 1
OS the Greenland Coast.
A VALUABLE SIX ?EEKS WORX.
Boats Throw Away Fuel and Food to Mala
Eoom for Skins.
A TOTAL OF 450,000 HIDES CAPTTJE1B
St. John's, N. P., April 26. Over $1,-
000,000 earned inside of six weeks catching
and killing sealsl And these are not tho
sealskin sacque seal, either, but the oil seal
and the seal whose skin, covered with its
rough, absolutely Iusterless and bristle-like
hair, is used for covering trunks, making
boots and horse covers, and cheap but ever
lasting caps and coats. It is now certain
that the seal fishery of 1889 will be the
largest and most successful for many years
past. The weather, in the first place, has
been of just the proper sort for the industry.
The ice has all been well off-shore, so that
sailing vessels and steamers got clear with
little trouble, and moved about the coast
freely. The ice did not, as is usual, pack,
because the prevailing winds during the
season were light and favorable. Thus
nearly all the fleet of sealers bound north
struck seals a few days after leaving port,
and most of them got full cargoes in aston
ishingly short spaces of time. Only ones
steamer, the Eagle, missed them entirely.
The catching of these harp (or Green
land) seals is an Industry upon which the
entire island of Newfoundland depends for
prosperity during the ensuing year. In
yarrlably when the seal fishery is a failure,
or even only half successful, there is wide
spread distress during the succeeding sum
.mer; and alongshore especially, where hun
dreds of people depend entirely upon seal
ing for subsistence, a failure means starva
tion almost. In the northern bays every
body turns out seal-killing priests, minis
ters, women, children and merchants and
one woman in "White Bay is reported this
season to have killed and hauled ashore over
400 seals. She is 55 years old, and has ac
quired a snug fortune, owing to her skill in
the business.
EEMAEKABLE IAJCK.
The sea fishing-is carried on by steamer
and sailing vessels, the former in the ma
jority, with crews of from 20 to 60 men each.
After clearing away the young "harps,"
which are always nearest to shore and ex
empt from capture, the fleet this season was
veijr fortunate in striking the "hoods"
which, later in whelping, are further out to
sea. The seals congregate in thousands on
great floes of field ice, and are so stupid and
slow that neither resistance to capture nor
effort to escape is made when the fortunate
crew goes among them with clubs, hatchets,
knives and other weapons. There is liter
ally a slaughter until no more live seals are
to be found. Then the carcasses are loaded
on the steamer, and she goes in search of
other droves. The steamer "Wolf was the
first to arrive here this season with a
full cargo. She left port on .March 9
and struck the seals on the 11th midway be
tween Qnirpon and Groals Island. On the
12th her crew killed 10,000 seals and got
8,000 of them aboard, having to lay by the
ice, on which were 2,000 more carcasses, all
night before she could get them all in. The
"Wolf's luck was remarkable, as from the
13th to the 18th she took 18,000 more seals
on board, and then bore up for home. She
conld hold no more. She arrived here on
the 20th. The total weight of her seals was
451 tons gross, or 8,623 cwt. net. Seals are
. worth 2 50 each. The value of the "Wolfs
cargo is $70,000. Not a bad 11 days' work.
Since the "Wolfs arrival, the Kanger has
come in with the finest cargo of the season.
Tie Sanger presented a remarkable sight as
she came into port, loaded down, as she was,
until her decks were awash with the sea.
Her space had been divided by planks, and
the seals were piled up so that there was
hardly room for the man at the wheel. Bal- '
last was thrown out and coal worth So 50
per ton thrown overboard to make room for
seals worth 580 per ten. Every bunk was
filled with the precious fat, and the men
slept jrhere they could or in the boats,
which were also full of fat.
MAKING MONET EAPIDLT.
Even the provisions were brought from
the hold and hoisted aloft, where casks of
pork and barrels of flour and bags of pota
toes swnng in the breeze, giving the steamer
an appearance that can easier be imagined
than described. The Kanger had on board
38,000 seals, and all of them fine and in
good condition, valued at over $100,000.
She was out 19 days.
The "Walrus arrived next with 15,000
seals, her lull capacity; then came the Nep
tune, her men virtually hanging on by
their finger nails to a cargo of 30,000 seals;
the Hector had 15,000; the Esquimaux
32,000, the Terro Nova 31,000, the Falcon
27,000, the Vanguard 19.000, the Kite 29,000
and the Panther 16,000. The latter vessel
lost 6,000 from her decks in a heavy gale,
the seals having to be thrown overboard to
prevent her foundering. These ves
sels, except the Panther, are all
from the north. In the gulf there
are at least a dozen vessels, nearly
all ot which have been heard from, report
ing excellent catches. It is thonght the
catch this yeariy vessels will exceed 450,
000, and to this is yet to be added the shore
catch, which will probably amount in New
foundland to between 50,000 and 70,000.
When it is understood that this is all done
inside of six weeks, it is a remarkable show
ing, and business prospects are wonderfully
brightened by the unexpectedly large seal
catch. It will also have the effect of increas
ing the fleet of vessels engaged in the Banks
fishery. It is'estimated that this season the
fleet will numberover 600 vessels, more than
200 increase over last year. It is not so long
ago that the NewfoundIand,fleet of Bankers
was very small not more than 25. Last
year there were 400; and one place in Pla
centia Bay which last year sent 10 bankers
will this year send 40, and the prospects are
correspondingly increased all over the
island.
WATEB AS A NAECOTIO.
Harmless Medicines Administered by Pbysa
Iclnns With Beneficial Results.
From the St. Loots Globe-Democrat. v
Some of the .doctors have been telling
their experience in practicing "the faith ,
cure;" in other words, working on an ima- ,
gination of their patients. Besides the bread
pills of which our fathers partook, it seems
that now we are indulging in small doses '
of injected water in the place of morphine.
asserts that it often puts a patient to sleep
quite as well as the drug. Dr. Clinton
gives water, tinctured with quinine, instead
of morphine, and reports that it works
wonders. So also salt and water are sur
reptitiously administered in place of brom
ides. Are we in reality only bundles of fancies;
or arewe developing into a physical era,
in which the mind shall control the body
in ways not formerly possible? Can we
not manage in some way to fool ourselves
and so go to sleep without being fooled by
the doctors? Who will invent a substantial
trick on himself?
LILLIAN SPENCER &.?:
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