CHAPTER XIII. MR TOTTERDELLS EXCITEMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2218, 25 September 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XIII. MR TOTTERDELLS EXCITEMENT.

It was with a heavy heart that Phil Soames made the best of his way to Dyke iv accordance with his promise to Dr. Ingleby. Ho was sincorcly sorry for John Fossdyke, whom he had known hefore he, Phil, emerged from his teens, and had always liked. There Imd been something attractive to a young fellow in the Town Clerk's restless energy and go ; in the keen way in which he threw himself into the promotion of till amusement for Bautnborough. He had been the: heart and soul at one time of that very cricket club of which Phil Soames was now the captain - not that Mr Fossdyke had ever pl.iyed, but he had been a first - iate secretary, arranged matches, k<\, and really made the clnb ; had put them on a sound financial footing, and raised their cricketing status fifty per cent, in the county. Then, again, this was a terrible story to have to tell a wife, and Phil Soames, who knew the menage well, and was a shrewd observer, belie v«d that though the Fossdykes might tiff a bit, the lady really loved her husband at bottom. However, as Dr. Ingleby had said, the story had to be told) and that quickly, and Phil Soames was not of the sort that blench when called on to face awkward work. He rang the bell and looked at his watch when he arrived at Dyke. It was a little awkard ; it was just about the time the ladies would be adjusting their toilettes for dinner. When the door opeued he said at once to the man-servant who opened it, 4 1 must see Miss Hyde at oiice, Jennings. I'll step into the study and wait there. Tell Miss Hyde I am here, if you can see her alone, but say a person from Baumborough wants to see her if you can't. , Not a word to anyone else. I'm the bearer of bad news which you will all know in half-an-hour.' Marvelling greatly, Jennings left to do his errand, an I found Miss Hyde and Mrs Fossdyke just, leaving the drawing room to dress. BesMO, on learning the message, followed Kirn .it once, and Mrs Fossdyke, supposing that the person from Baumborough was a tradesman of some sort, went upsturs to her room. 1 Philip !' exclaimed Miss Hyde, as she entered the study, even before the confidential Jennings was out of hearing, so astounded was she at the appearance of Mr Soames in this fashion. ' vVhat does this mean ?" I Sit down, please,' he replied, after he had shaken hands. "Yes, in that big chair will be best. I have come over to break some terrible tidings to you. Mr Fossdyke has met with a very severe accident." ' On the railway ?' asked the girl, leaning forward as the colour died out of her cheeks. Is it— is it dangerous ?' ' Yes, Bessie, I am very much afraid fatal,' he replied gently. 'Of course there is hope while there is life,' and then he dropped his eyes unable longer to confront the eager, frightened gaze that met his own. ' There is no hope, Philip— none. 1 can read it on your face— he is dead or dying- Which? tell me which, in pity's name.' ' Dead,' he rejoined in alow voice. 'It is very terrible,' she murmured; 'what will his poor wife do ? She loved him, Philip, indeed she did though they might not seem to quite hit it off at times. And, oh, how good they have both been to me,' and Bessie bowed her head, and sobbed audibly. Soames let the gid's tears have full play : he felt that his task was but as yet only half accomplished, and fet dreadfully nervous about the telling how John Fossdyke really came to his end. I am better now,' Hhe said at length, 1 tell where it happened, and how ? of course I must break this to Mrs Fossdyke, and she will naturally desire know all particulars.' ' Can you bo 7ery brave, Bos ? oin you bear to hear that there ia s c thing 1 peculiarly pad about Mr F ilyko' s death ? It was no railway accident.' The girl's eyes dilated as she stared in expectant bewildorment at Soames. • Nerve yourself,' he continued, • remember we must look to you to support and comfort Mrs Fosdyke under her trial.' I 1 understand,' she said, faintly, 'go on, please, quick.' IMr Fossdyke has been murdered,' rejomod Soames, in slow measured tones ; 4 htabbed to the heart in his bed at Bunbury. ' Bessie threw up her hands before her face as if blinded. • Murdered,' hhe said in a low voice. 1 Good heavens! Have they any suspicions as to who is the assassin and what was his motive '? ' His motive ! No ! But there is strong presumption that a Mr Foxborousrh, who invited him ' 4 Oh, my C4od !' exclaimed the girl, as she fell back iv her chair, blanched and all but sensele->s. She looked so like swooning that Phil was about to ring for assistance when a rapid gesture of her hand stayed him. 'It only wanted this,' she murmured, .md then she apparently became unconseinm. For a second or two Soames once more fingered the bell, then glancing round the room he rushed at a vase of flowers ; quick as thought the blossoms lay scat- , tered on the carpet, and half of the water in which they had stood was dashed into the f dinting 1 girl's face ; then soaking his handkerchief in the remainder he proceeded to daub her temples after the only conventional fashion understood by male creatures. With a quick g-asp or two she carno round in a few minutes. ' Keep quiet and don't try to talk yet.' said Phil, authoritatively. • Shall I rin<r, or would you rather I did nor?' A slight but emphatic shake of the hoiid answered the question. That the news of John Fossdyke's murdfr should upset Miss Hyde was ouly natural. She was a plucky girl, and had fou"ht bravely against the shock to her nerves, no doubt ; but what puzzled Phil Soames waR her ejaculation before she .swooned—' It only wanted this !' What could she mean ? It must be remembered that the mystery which she declared rendered her marriage with him impossible was ever in the young- man's mind. Did her exclamation in any way relate to that? He avhs atill pondering on this when Bcsie, having 1 in some measure recovered herself , said 'Of course I must tell Mrs Fossdyke ; and now, Philip, I think you had better go. It will be a terrible night for us both ; and when you got back to Baumborough tell Dr Ingleby to look in about ten or so if he can.' 1 Certainly I will, but he has gono over to Bunbury, and nun scarcely be back bo soon as that. I nhall meet him at the station, and feel sure ho means coming out before goinp to bed. It was he who sent me here to break it.' 1 He's always so thoughtful,' replied Bessie, and as she Rpoke the door opened and in came Mrs FosHrtyke. 'Well, upon my word!' sho exclaimed laughing. * How do you do, Mr Somes ;

and ho, Bessie, this is the person from B'Miinbnvonph. Really Philip, I could never havo believed in your obtaining entrance into mv house under puch rcmarknbly falso colours. What am Ito think? "Explain, young people, explain. Am I to ask him to dinner Bc-sie, or not P It whs evident to the pair that far from having tbo hlisjhtca iuklinjjf of the truth, Mrs Fossdyko merely su'-pected them of having come to that uudeistandin if which she had sot her heart upon, that they both lookod so distressed that the good lady could but notice it. 1 What's the matter with you both ? Have you been quarrelling' ? What is it ? You both look as if you'd come to infinite grief.' To hour the poor woman thus jostinir at wh.it was in store fo^» ncr was more than Phil Soamcs could boar. 'No dinner to. night, thanks M,v** Fo-sdyke, good night. Good night, Bes/.ie, Miss' Hyde, 1 mean, God bless you." And with this somewhat incoherent speech he took his departure. No man could have been moro curiously moved by the divith of a frllow creature than was Mr Totterdell when ho first heard of the murder of John Fossdyke. He was a fussy, garrulous, and inquisitive old man, and had lately proved himself a rancorous old man to boot with regard to the luckless Town Clerk. He had fiercely resented the being literally turned out of Dyke, but to do him justice his enmity was not of that unsparing 1 malignant kind that refused to be buriocl in t^e yave. He was unfeignedly sorry for the past, and deeply regretted that over ho should have moved for an inquisition into the financial affairs of the town. He had lamented before that his wrath had moved him to that step; it was subject of still bitterer lamentation now. Bu 4 ; as the details of the murder reached Baumborough there stolo across Mr Totterdell a littJoglaw of satisfaction that he had in his writing table drawer that bill of the Syiinga Music Hall, and was not only ono of those who had actually held converso with the murderer, but was able to point out to the police whore he might be found. Conscious of possessing this information, Mr Totterdell positively dwelled with importance. To ;i man of his disposition being the repository of the clue to a groat crime was delicious. He (Totterdell) at all events must now come prominently before the public. His name would be in all the papers, and to one of his incalculable vanity this went for a good deal. To be pointed out as the Mr Totterdell who lod to the solution of the great Bunbury murder was fame. Questionable that, perhaps, but for the time being it would undoubtedly be notoriety, a substitute that amply suffices most people in these days. Then Mr Totterdell remembered how ho had actually pointed out John Fossdyke to his supposed murderer, and beyfau to suffer agonies of remorse j but again it occurred to* him that it was the stranger who had demanded who the Town Clerk might be, and that had he refused the required information his interlocutor would have experienced no difficulty in obtaining it from some one else ; so he becamo more tranquil on this point. But to whom to disburtheu himself of the mighty becret within his breast troubled him much. Another thing, too, which gavo a singular titillation both to Mr Totterdell's nerves and vanity was the idea that he had sat next a veritable murderer at the theatre only twenty-four hours before he committed his crime. Of thi* he made no seciot ; indeed dilated on the .subject all over Baumborough. Mr Totterdell never tired of describing the stranger nor improvising the discourse that took place between them, and that conversation so lengthened in proportion to the number of times that Mr Totterdoll recapitulated the story that it appeared impossible that either he or the stranger could have heard anything of the play. Now there was one singular fact about nil this easily accounted for if you bear in miud Mr Totterdell's prevailing characteristics, insatiable curiosity corabmed, remember, with incalculable vanity prompting him to obtain notoriety at all hazards. The result was that, freely as he talked of having mot him in front of the house, he was perfectly mute about having come across Mr Foxborough behind the sceaes. He could, he thought, give all the information concerning the stranger the police could possibly require, and was jealous that anyone else should intrude themselves on his platform. He proposed to pose as the mam witness in the great Buubury murder case — a mere matter of notmioty! Quite so, but men have risked their lives for nothing else time out of mind, notably in the year of grace 1882 concerning crossing the Channel in balloons. When Dr. Ingleby, having returned fiom Bunbury, got out at Dyke, he found that he was most decidedly wanted. His old friend, Mrs Fossdyke, was perfectly stunned by the news, and past anything buf'making one wild wail of remorse for what sho was pleased to term her late unwifely behaviour. She reproached horse if bitterly about her last quarrel with her husbaud, and wept piteously over some misty idea that she had in soms sort contributed to the castastropho. But 'what did surprise Dr. Jngleby was the excessive prostration t>f Miss Hyde. The girl struggled bravely against it, but hrr uuuttprablc woe was as unmistakable as it was difficult to account for. Granted she hid lost a very dear friend, still it was b.'Vfl to nndeistHiid a tolprablv self-con-tained young lady like Mi.-s JTyde being mo completely upM't by it. She did her bo.st— -sho struggled hnrd to console and comfort poor Mrs Vossdyko, but Dr. liM'-lcby was fain to confess that she seemed more in need of comforting herself. A case this in which there was little to be don* for oUhrr^ sufferer. Words of consolation at such times poem commonplace, and medical aid is superfluous. But the next day Dr. Tusrloby was astonished by the apparition of Sorsreant Silas Usher in his surgciy--th.it he entered unannounced it is almost unnecessary to say. Sihis Usher usually turned up without any official announcement, lie had a way of appearing at people's side-, in a stealthy ghost-like fashion, positively appalling, and his very name caused tenor to the tip-top profec-sors of the art of burglary. It was related how one of the great artists in that line had been utterly paralysed in his last exploit by having whispered into his e.irs as he was clearing out a couutess's jewel box, and greedily gloating over a diamond bracelet— ' Very pretty, Bill Simmonds, ain't it 't but it won't fit you anything like as well as these,' and before the astonished robber could collect his faculties the handcuffs snapped round his wrist*, and his reti!tr**ent from a world he had for some time au»T Vv vl was an accomplished fact. 'I havo just run down, sir, to make a few enquiries in Baumborough, and you're the man I want in the first instance. I don't wont to intrude ou the family at Dyke, of course, but it is essential I should get answers from them to these two questions : Did they ever know a Mr Foxborough, or hear of him? and did they ever see this in Mr Fossdyko's possession !'' and Sergeant Usher produced the fatal weapon which hal been found in John Fossdyke's breast. A slight shiver ran through Dr. Ingleby's frame, not at the sisrht of the weapon, for his medical training had I steeled his nervea to all that sort of thing,

but ho did think it would ho a gruesomo task to show that ghastly toy to the mourners nt Dyke. ' Now, don't you run away, doctor, with tho idt'ii that I'm a man of no feelmir,' exclaimed the norgeant, who saw at a glance what wa« paviini? through Dr. Ingleby'n mind. • Nobody understands the susceptibilities more than I do, and bless you nobody humours thorn more. Now, these are important questions, and answers to 'em quite invaluable. But, of course, you'll introduce this,' lie continued, tapping tho dagger, ns a paper knife found in a half-out novel which Mr Foxboroutrh left inadvertently behind him. 'Itis to spate all unpleasantness I conio to you. Introduce me a« what seems best to yourself, but you shall make the enquiries. I only went to bo present when they are made, but I think you had best admit at once I'm a police agent. As I told you bpfore, I'm in chargo of this murder, and it's a matter of professional pride to bring it home to some one.' • You seem pretty indifferent whom you hang,' rejoined Dr. Ingleby sharply. 'Nothing of the kind, sir,' said Sergeant Usher ; • but it is a sort of reproach to my piofessional reputation not to pick up the perpetrator of a big Crime like this. More especially because it seems so simple. Who but Mr Foxborough could have committed this murder? I told you, sir, lam always candid myself on principle, but we must have the links in the chain complete, and that is the reason 1 am compelled to disturb tho ladies at Dyke, almost in the lirst agonies of their grief.' ' To- morrow I might, Sergeant Usher ; but as the medical adviser of the family I emphatically say Mrs Foasdyke and Miss Hyde are too thoroughly crushed by this blow for you to see them to-day. There are probably one or two more points you would like to question them over, and on the whole you will benefit by the delay.' Silas Usher mused for a little, and then said : ' Well, it may be so. I, of course, am very anxious to know what induced Mr Fossdyke to go over to Bunbury. We know Foxboiough came here on Monday night. He probably met the deceased and asked him to dine, which, from motives we have as yet no clue to, Mr Fossdyke accepted ; but from tho witnesses at the Hopbine it does not appiar to have been simply i dinner betveen two old ft iends. If the invitation was .given verbally it is very likely that someone heard it given. Xt all events there must be people in Baumborough who noticed this stranger. If, which may be possible, the man wrote, there's a chance that the ladies at Dyke know something about it, and that the letter is not as yet destroyed. You see, Doctor, if you can got hold of a man's handwriting, and this Foxborough was evidently an educated man, or if you can get hold of an accurate description of him, you are pretty much upon his track.' 'All of which makes it quite clear to me that you wont altogether waste a day in Baumborough, Sergeant Usher. At all events I'll not sanction you going out to Dyke to-day.' 'It may be you're right, sir,' rejoined the detective. •Anyhow, it seems I have got to pass the day here, and therefore 1 must just make the best of it. I'll call in to-morrow, Doctor, to see vvbat you can do for me. Good morning.' That Sergeant Usher went about seeking information would not at all describe that worthy's proceedings, he simply paraded the town ; he had something to say to everyone, and it was highly ctedi" table to his versatility and universal knowledge that the people with whom he conversed differed laigely about the little grey man's calling. The ostler at the King's Anns, where Mr Uiher was located, had no doubt whatever that he was somehow connected with horses. At the principal stationers they put him down as having something to do with theatricals, while other people differed as to whether it was corn ov cattle the little gentleman at the King's Arms had come down to buy. But th.it in the course of Chree or four hours' gossiping with everybody he came across, Sergeant Usher had arrived at the fact that Mr Foxborough had sat next Mr Totterdell in the stalls upon the opening night of the theatre, and that nobody in Baumborough knew s<> much about the whole affair as that gentleman may easily be conceived. Clearly Mr Totterdell was the man the Sergeant wanted, and to ascertain where Mr Totterdell lived was, of course, easy. Who he was had been fully explained also— his connection with Mrs Fossdyke, his quarrel with her husband, &c. Ail such local gossip is easily picked up in an incredibly short time in a country town by such a practised hand as Sergeant Usher ; and further, the detective had got a very fair inkling of what manner of man Mr Totterdell was. The fussy town councillor dwelt in a prim-looking house standing in an equally prim -looking garden, situated in the outskirts of the town, arid thither towards the afternoon Sergeant Usher made his way. He was in excellent good humour with himself, for he considered he had done a very fair morning's work, although most of his informants has been fain to admit they had not noticed the stranger themselves ; while even those that professed to have remarked him were so vague and vacillating in their description that the shrewd Sergeant Usher speedily came to the conclusion that " they thought they'd seen him," was about what their testimony really amounted to, but they were all clear and confident that ?»Ir Totterdell had conversed with the stranger, and could describe his personal appeal ance, manner, &c. ; indeed it was lie who had been asked to point out Mr Fossdyke by this Mr Foxborough. Mr Totterdell was at home, and the Sergeant was at once shown into his presence. "Mr Silas Usher," he repeated, reading the name written on an envelope, which had been scut into him. ' May I abk what your business is with me?' 'I thought maybe, sir, the name might have told a on. Silas Usher is pretty well known at Scotland Yard, and you might have come across the name m biggish murder cases before now.' '01 course, of course," exclaimed Mr Totterdell, wriggling in his chair, after his custom when excited about anything. • Pray sit down, Mr Usher.' He bad been turning over in his mind with whom he was to disburden himself of the mighty secret hidden in Ins breast, and here was the vciy man he wanted como to Ins door. ' I have every reason to believe, Mr Totterdell, that you can gi\e ne some very important information, and as this murder is put in my charge I come to learn all you have to tell me concerning it.' 'And you couldn't have como to anyone in Baumborough who can tell you half so much about it. I was an intimate friend of the poor follow that's gone, you know, god-father to his wife and .ill that sort of thiua:, and though he behaved very badly und ungratefully to mo at last, I bore him uo malice.' What poor John Ko^sdyke hnd to bo grateful about was not quite so clear. ' Dear me,' continued the old impobter, ' I little thought when 1 slaved bo to gut up tho Baumborough Theatre that 1 was, no to speak, digging John Fossdyke's grave, lout that was his fault ; he was never open with anyone. If ho had only been candid, Mr Usher ; if ho had only been candid — " 'Ah! Mr Tofterdell, then, ho novor mentioned Foxborough's namo to jou?'

•No, nor to anyono else, or I must have heard of it. I hear everything that goes on in Baumborough.' ' And you actually eat next this man in the theatre ou Monday night,' interpohpd tho Sergeant rather hurriedly, for ho already saw that tho newly elected town councillor wan uot one of those who narrate their story briefly. 'That Wfia just what I vraM going to tell you,' rojoined Mr Tottordoll,' testily, ' only you interrupted me. Yes, I sat near tho miscreant at the theatre ; a dark-complexioned man, dressed in evening clothes, as unlike a murderer as could bo,' and tho old gentleman paused, and looked at the Sergeant as much as to say, ' Whit do you think of th.it?' Mr Usher vouchsafed no opinion, his professional knowledge told him that nieu of all clashes had taken their fellows' lives at times. • Well, continued Mr Totterdcll, * tho villain w-in very affable. Said ho was in tho theatiic.il lino himself. Ho asked who two or three people were, amongbt others John'Fossdyko.' 'Give any reason,' interposed tho Sergeant, in a curt rat-trap sort of way that made tho old gentleman start. 1 Yes, ho said he thought he had mot him somewhere, had boon at school with him, perhaps, but he didn't seem to recognise the name at nil. Ho thought I said Mossdyko, and when I repeated Fossdyko, asked me to spell it, which I did. Then he asked me if Miss Hyde was his daughter, and I told him no, that she was one of our great _ my-torica, that no one knew exactly who sho was. We don't, you know ; it's very curious, that, Mr Übher. Baumborough canaot get at who she is exactly.' ' And, of course, sir, you have no idea of what this stranger's narao was ?' 'Well, I had and I hadn't. It so happens I am in possession of a singular piece of evidence, which, though it told nothing then, is valuable now, as it tells j yon where to find James Foxborough,' •James !' exclaimed the sergeant. •You've got at his Christian name then, Mr Totterdell ?' 'Yes,' exclnimod tho old gentleman, with an asthmatic chuckle, as he got out of hi.s chair, and wont across to the writing-table. ' When,' he continued, as ho opened tho diawor, ' the stranger got up to leave he pulled a silk mu filer out of his pocket to put round his throat, and tis ho did so he dropped this,' and Mr Totterdell hold up the music hall bill he h:id piekod up in the theatre. ' Look at it.' 'Syringa Music Hall! Yes, I know the place well ; but anyone might go there; this don't tell us much. Ha! Lessee, Mi' .lames Foxborongh. Yls, stupid of me not to remember it before . I know all about it now. Wife, handcome woman, sings r-ither well. I don't think I ever saw Foxborough. Can't have done. I never forget anyone I've once seen. You can keep that, Mr Totterdell, it's a valuable clue, but excuse my observing, it's no evidence. Pis opan to anyone to have a Syringa bill in his coat pocket.' Tho old gentleman gasped with indignation. He had held that bill to bo a most damning piece of testimony. • You t*ee, ' continued the sergeant, who saw what was parsing through Mr Totterdell's mind, " beyond that it recalled to my mind that James Foxborough is lessee of the Syringa, a fact some of our people in town are suro to have remembered, that bill tells us nothing. I've no doubt a man calling him- [ self Foxborough sat next you in tho stalls on Monday night, and when we approhend James Foxborough you will know at a glance whether that's the man.' ' Undoubtedly,' returned Mr Totterdell, somewhat reviving as it dawned upon him that afcer sill he was destined to play the rulo of a leading" witness. • Well, sir, I don't tluuk ] need trespass any longer on your valuable time. I'm a caudid man myself, Mr Totterdell, and I have no doubt that — thanks to the valuable cluo you have placed in my hands — we shall soon know all about James Foxborough, -md where to fiud him when we want him. Good day, air.' 1 If his time is valuable he loses a mint of money per annum,' muttered Serjeant Usher, as he walked away. ♦ Such a long- winded old chump at telling a story one doat often see, thank goodness. Now, if this ia James Foxborough of the Syringa, what on earth could be his quarrel with Mr Fossdyko? That is a thing lms to be got at in some sort. Secondly, it all looks too plain sailing. Men don't take rooms at hotels in the country in their own name, ask their enemy to dinner, murder him, nnd return quietly to town by the first train in the morning ; and yet that's what this comes to. Outside my experience that is a long way. No ; it looks so simple that I'd bet it turns out a complicated case. I suppose I'd best go out to Dyke to-morrow, if the Doctor will let me, and ask the ladies two or three questions, though I don't suppose much will come of it.' Tho next morning Sergeant Ushei wended his way to Dr. Ingleby's, to learn if it was possible for him To ask those two or three questions of Mrs Fossdyo and Miss Hyde that he vras so anxious to put. 'I have been out to see them already, and have arranged that, painful though it be, it shall be done. But I must, manage this business in my own way. Tho interview must bo as brief as you cm possibly make it. The questions will have to be put by me, and I h.ivo guaranteed you shall not open your lips, although you are to bo ptocnt. They understand who you are, and that they are answering' my questions for your benefit.' At first Sergeant Usher looked somewhat disappointed, then brightening up a bit said, 'It wont take five minutes, doctor. There are only three questions, bnt I want as distinct answers to them as possible, please. 1 had bettor wiite them down.' 'Do, while I order the trap. There are writing things.' A few minutes later and Dr. Inyleby and the Serjeant were dnving towards Dyke, On their arrival they were, it once i»h'o wu into the drawing-ioom, where the two ladie-t were waiting to receive them. They welcomed Dr. luirleby with a faint smile, and acknowledged Sergeant Usher's bow wil-h a slight bend of the head. 'My dear Mrs Fossdyko, we shan't worry you for more th'iu a fow minutes, but in the interest* of justice I am iroing to ask you throe questions. Fiist, did you over set* this f.nioitul toy bo for* 1 :' and he oxhibted tho weipon th.it had bereft. John Fo^sdyke of life A decided negalivc fiom both ladies. 'Sooondly, did your husbaud to your knowledge know anything of a Mr. Foxborough 'r' '1 never heard of such a person,' replied Mrs Fos«dyke, briefly. 'I never knew a Mr. Foxborough,' faltered Miss Hyde, with viable emotion. 'Lastly, are you aware what induced your hush md to go over to Buubury on Tuesday ?' 'Certainly,' replied Mrs Fos.sdyke ; 'he went in consequence of a letter which ho received by tlu> morniug post, and by which ho was. evidently much put out We both noticed it, Bessie, did we not '?' Miss Hyde bent her head in token of assent. 'So much bo,' ooutinued Mis Fo-.mlvUo, 'that 1 asked him if ho was ill, and sifterwards urged him not to stay the night at Bunbury, but come home to dinner. Oh why did he not follow my advice ra nd tho good lady's tcais flowed Jiftesh. 'There, there, my deir fiioud,' said the

dootor soothingly, 'we need trouble you no inoro. Good -bye for the present; goodbye, Miss Hyde. I shall be up again in the evening.' Sergeant Uhhpr had already glided noiselessly out of the room in accordance with his covenant. 'Well,' .said the doctor, as ho joined him in the h.ill, 'I trust you have learnt all you want, to know r' 'Not quite,' rejoined Sprgeiinf. TJNW. 'I want to know when Mis* Hyde heard of Mr. Fox borough r' •Why, she Raid she never had.' 'Kxcu.se mo, who s.iid f,hf had nevpr soon him, and I belipve her ; but from tho w.iy ><]ie said it I have a strong ide.i >.he » heard of him.' 'That idea never would have entered my head.' 'I daresay not, Doctor. Youlre not acenstomed to weigh p^opli-'n words as I am,' replied Sergenant Ush<>r, as they got, into the trap. 'Werp you satisfied with thp result of your questions ?' asked Doctor In^leby, after a few moment.*, during which hi* companion seemed plunged in a brown study. 'I'd givo a hundred pound* for that letter,' quoth Sergeant Übher, moodily. (To be rontwitrtl, )