LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 714, 3 October 1876, Page 3

LITERATURE.

THE MAJOR'S WIFE,

{Concluded.')

' Jem Smasher,' continued the detective, while he kept firm hold of the struggling ruilian, 'you ought to know me, and you ought to know that I'm a man of my word. Now if you don't surrender quietly, and let me put the bracelets on you like a well-bred gentleman, as I've more than onoe heard you boast that you are, I'll blow your brains out as surely as my name is Jonas Holden, whose headquarters are in Scotland Yard, Whitehall, S. W., as the postman says.' On hearing this dreaded, well-known name the cowardly garroter (for such ruffians are always cowards) collapsed like a wind-bag. He did not make the smallest effort to free hiinsolf, but let the celebrated detective place the handcuffs on his wrists a.s accommodatingly as if he were a line lady holding out her pretty arms while her lover clasped on his first gift of betrothal. ' I'm starving, Mr Holden,' he whimpered. ' There's no harm done this time ; won't you let me off this once 1 I'll never attempt such a thing any more ' ' Humph ! you're a dreadful sneak, Jem ! I thought you had more pluck in you,' said the detective, thoroughly disgusted with the villain's abject cowardice. 'But come; I never had you before, so I'll give you one chance, as I generally do with mj new

customers, if I can. Your intended victim shall be your judge, here on the spot. What say you, Sir Herbert Mellish ? This fellow wants you to forgive him at once, and says he'll n«»ver do so again.' 1 Sir Herbert Mellish 1' exclaimed the scamp, while His eyes lighted up, and his whole manner was transformed. ' Yes, Sir Herbert Mellish—late Major Mellish/ said Herbert, eagerly, for his beating heart half told him that it might relate to his darling Kllen. • I know all about your wife ! I know v/here she is confined and kept a prisoner.' ' I thought I was right!' muttered Mr Holden to himself. ' Speak, man, and I will not only consent that you shall be set free, but give you rive hundred pounds into the. bargain, to keep you honost.' • Which will be just as long as the money lasts,' again muttered the detective. 'I take you at your word, Sir Herbert; and what's more, I can and will set her free if you make it a thousand,' whispered the robber. ' Now, now, Jem, this is really coming it rather too strong !' said Mr Holden, interfering. ' I should like to speak to him !' replied this precious specimen of humanity. 1 Very well, Jem; speak on,' said the detective. ' Consent!' whispered he to Sir Herbert. ' I have my reasons.' ' Speak, degraded man !' said the Baronet, who had scarcely yet recovered from the robber's throttling embrace. ' I—l'm in possession of a secret, sir, that you would give your life to know.' ' A secret! Of what nature 1' inquired the Baronet, in a pitiable state of agitation. 1 Stay, stay ! ' replied Mr Holden. ' Pray let us do everything calmly and coolly; iive minutes can make no possible difference. The lady is perfectly safe, I have no doubt, eh, Jem ?' • Oh, yes, Mr Holden—safe as the apple of my eye.' 'Of course—of course ! Now, Sir Herbert, please to look at this fellow's features carefully. Don't you recognise the dark eyes, heavy eyebrows, aquiline nose, very bad and discoloured teeth, dark, curly hair, large whiskers, and, at present, no moustache 1 ' ' The strange visitor at the cottage,' faltered the Baronet. ' Bxactiy so, replied the detective. ' Yes ; and more than that, I am Ellen's brother,' chimed in this rascal, determined to clinch the matter and get into his brother-in-law's good graces by some means or other. ' Pheugh! I never suspected that!' said Mr Holden. ' That explains all.' ' Wretched man !' replied the Baronet, 'if it indeed prove to be so you must leave this country at once and for ever. I will give you ample means to emigrate.' ' I'm very glad to hear it, for I'm heartily tired of England, and everything and everybody in it,' -replied Mr Samuel Willmore, for he was really and truly the extravagant gambling spendthrift, whose arts had stripped his sister of well-nigh her last penny. It is scarcely necessary to proceed furtter with the denouement of this story. Ellen was speedily released from the miserable den in which she had for some months been confined by the machinations of her brother, and watched over by a gang of vile men and women, who almost exclusivly inhabited the low street in which her prison-house was situated. Her abduction from the cottage had been silently effected during the old servant's absence, by the aid of chloroform and the agency of a cabman who was one of the gang. It was part of a long-meditated scheme to obtain money; but the actors in the plot (and there were several) had not counted on her courage and firmness. They had calculated that she would be too glad, to comply with their extortionate demands after the detention of a day or two ; but they were woefully disappointed. Since her determination has brought peace to the lot of the constant and self-sacrificing Ellen, who, true to her affection for her husband—her first and only love —endured all the indignities heaped upon her by her malicious and designing reprobate brother, who, for the gratification of his own base designs was ready to dishonor her. The death of the old Baronet had set the Major free to acknowledge and make public their hitherto secret union, and from that time they have passed their days in happiness. Mr Samuel Wilmorc was shipped off to the other side of the world, and has never been heard of since. Mr James Holden still continues to labor in his perilous vocation, and always with success. He is still Al at Scotland Yard, Whitehall, S.W.