CHAPTER XXIV. THE PHOTOGRAPH.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2236, 6 November 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XXIV. THE PHOTOGRAPH.

As Dr Iri!»leby walked hack to Baiimborough and turned Bessie's story over in his mind he could not but reflect that hia owu situation was now just a little awkward. Prepossessed as he was in the girl's favour, and believing thoroughly that there was nothing which could be alleged against Miss Hyde, herself, still it was impossible to shut one's eyes to the fact that she would hardly be deemed a desirable connection by any respectable family. There was not only that matter of her birth, but the very unfortunate accusation under which her stepfather at present lay. Old Mr Soames and hia wife might fairly resent the encouraging of their son in such a marriage, and the doctor felt very loth to give cause of offence to such old fiiends. He was bound to tell Philip his story, and had a strong idea that the chivalry of the young man's character would only lead him to cling more closely to' his sweetheart in her trouble. Well, it could not be helped ; Phil was a man of thirty, and if he could not decide for himself now, would he ever be fit to do to ? He would get a good wife in Bessie, even if her antecedents should be deemed a little against her, and, moreover, as these had been kept a secret for two years, why should they , not continue such ? He could trust himself not to speak. Philip would naturally for Bessie's sake keep silence, whilst as for Sergeant Uaher, the doctor had early taken stock of that officer's open candid disposition, and rightly deemed that he could be close and dumb as an oyster upon anything of importance ; the confidences he made were for the most part of the most innocent and milk and watery description, and might have pretty well have been arrived at by diligent perusal of the journals. That Philip Soame9 would call that evening Dr Ingleby felt assured, and that Sergeant Usher would do likewise he thought was more than probable. He was not deceived, he had not long finished his solitary dinner, and was sitting over his wine and walnuts when Phil made his appearance. 1 Well, doctor, have you any news for me ?' he asked, anxiously, as ho took a chair and responded to the mute invitation contained by the pushed-across decanter, and filled his glass. * Yes,' replied Dr Ingleby, ' I have. Whether good or bad is for your own self to determine. lam prepared to tell you the whole of Miss Hyde's history. I may premise at onoe there is nothing against herself, but many men might hesitate about marrying her. You, Phil, are old enough to judge for yourself. I intend to. tell yon her Btory Bimply, and to counsel you neither one way nor the other,' and then, without further preumble, Dr Ingleby narrated Bessie's account of herself. Phil Soames listened attentively, but in-terpo.^-ed never a word, though ho could not suppress a start when he heard that Bessie was the illegitimate daughter of James Foxborough's wife. He waited patiently till the doctor had finished, and then he said — , • Thanks no end, my dear old friend, for what you have done for me. We have agreed not to discuss this que'tion, but that is no reason I should not tell you what I shall do. All this make* no difference in my feelings with regard to M>B Hyde I only honour* hor mora for the delicacy and regard she has displayed towards myself. I shall many her, for I don't think when I ask her »gain, with Full knowledge of her Btory, she will say me nay any longer. I doa't mean just at once, you know; she couldn't well d> that so soon after John Fossdyke's death but uo aoou as the conye rationalities "will allow, und, doctor, I don't think it is necessary my futurt, 'wife's history ahouil go any further,'

' Certainly not ; and you may trust me in that respect, but remember we are half pledged to lot Serjeant Usher know the result. Still I consider that a question for your decision, und would only remark that I think you may rely upon his making very discreet use of the information.' ' I had rather it went no further than ourselves,' rejoined Phil, slowly. ' As you will,' replied the doctor, ' only remember, so far, the sergeant has shown much feeling and thoughtfulness in dealing with the ladies at Dyke. If we refuse to take him into our confidence he may discover, and very likely will, the whole thing for himself, and is then of course in no way bound to show any particular discretion in dealing with the information. If we let him into the secret of Miss Hyde's history — of which, remember ho is already on the trail — I think he will make no public ute of it, except in the last extremity.' At thin moment the door opened and the servant enquired if the doctor would see Mr Usher, and after that official's wont he followed «o close upon the heels of his own announcement as to pretty well preclude tho possibility of denial. I Good evening, gentlemen. I have just called in to tell you I cm gather no particle of information that is to be called reliable about Foxborouirh in this town. No one, you sen, really knew him by night Now, doctor, ha 76 you got anything for mo V ' Sit down, sergeant, and help yourself to a gl<iss of port,' and as Mr Usher complied Dr Ingleby cast an enquiring glance. ' Quite so, sir ; I understand,' exclaimed that worthy, whose quick eye little escaped that came beneath it. 'Now, gentlemen, I'm not such a fool a* to be obtrusive, but I see you've got the information I seek, though you can't quite make up your minds to let me share it. You cannot suppose I would make thing? unpleasant for Mi?s Hyde. Although what she has told you may be great use to me, it strikes mo as most improbable that her uarno.will ever appear. Of courso I can't say for certain till I know what it if, but I can promise this, Mr SoameB, that nothing but the most extreme necessity will permit mo to bring Miss Hyde's name into tho case.' Phil looked Mi- Usher straight in the fa-jo for a moment, but the sergeant's keen grey eyes never faltered, and then turning to the doctor he .-aid, curtly, ' tell him everything.* Doctor Ingrleby without further delay narrated Bessie's history, to which the sergeant listened without comment. I 1 don't think, gentlemen,' he said, aa the doctor concluded, * that this is likely to be of any use to me, though it unexpectedly may be. It is very unlikely, ideed, that Miss Hyde will ever be called on with regard to this case further than possibly to testify that the dagger was not Mr Fossdyke's property. As to what the doctor has just done me the honour to confide to me, my lips, gentlemen, are sealed. But, Mr Soames, has one singular coincidence in this affair struck you ?' INo ; what do you mean ?' cried Phil. • That you and your friend, Mr Morant, should be each courting a daugher of Mrs | Foxborough.' 'It never occurred to me before, but it is extraordinary,' exclaimed Soames ; ' but how on earth did you know it V 4 Well, if you'll excuse my making so bold, it's no secret that you are sweet on Miss Hyde in Baumborough. Watching Foxborough's house, as of course we've clone very close, showed us that Mr Morant was Miss Foxborouiirfs lover, and of course at the inquest I saw you knew each other perfectly well, and the rest is very simple, that you were old Uuiversity chums, and a slight knowledge of your, previous lives was not difficult to come by.' ' And do you always study people after this fashion?' asked Philip, half angry, ! half amused. 'Only when they have the distinction of being concerned in what I consider a great case,' rejoined the sergeant, gravely rising. ' And now, gentlemen, with many thanks for your kindness, I have the honour to wish you good night.' Soames was not long before he followed the sergeant's example, and also betook himself homewards. Phil lived with his father and mother, but in a low wing or rather leg of the house that had been run out express!}' for his accommodation. He had a separate entrance, a sort of half anti-room, half businessroom, and a library, study, Brink ingroom, or what you please to call it, on the ground floor. Above were two excellent bedrooms and a bathroom. Having turned up his lamp Phil lit another cigar and began to reflect on the events of the eveninjr. It was curious — leuced cuiious — that coincidence, as the sergeant described it. To think that he and Herbert Morant were going to raurry listers ; and then it, occurred to Phil why on earth should bo not havo Herbert down at once, and put in motion those schemes for that young gentleman.* redemption which hud crossed hi* brain beforo tho miserable tragedy of Johu Fos«dyke's took place. How little did hfl think when Morant said at the inquost it was odd that the murdered man should be a friend of Phil Soames, while the daughter of the presumed murderer ttjj.3 the girl he aspired to marry, th.it they were in lovo with half-sisters. Phil was a man of decision. Half a dozen mor<> turns of the room, and some slight more consumption of tobacco, and seating himself at the table, he wrote to Herbert Morant, saying he should now be delighted to see him at once. (To be continued )

An Auctioneer announces in a newspaper advertisement that he has so much business he has recently worn out two hammers, and is now on the second end of the third ! Mrs Langtry having won socia celebrity by her graces, and, as an aa aotress, achieved »uccess by ability and perseverance, is said to covet further fame. It is whispered that she is writing a novel. Whatever be the merits or demerits cf the work, Mrs Langtry will have no difficulty in finding a publisher, and a ready sale of the book is certain. As a professor was passing out of his reoitation room the other day, a freshmau dropped slyly into his hat a piece of paper, on which was written " Monkey." Tickled with his joke, he told it to all hia student friends. But at his next recitation, the professor addressed his division in sweetest tones, "Gentlemen, as [ was passing out of the room yesterday, one of your number did me the very high honour of leaving with me his card " Inoculation of Hydrophobia.— With the virus taken from the spinal cord of a dog, which had died of hydrophobia in the Stockholm Veterinary Institute, three dogs were inoculated by Pasteur's method. To render it more certain the meninjre* were chosen for the seat of oporation. The dojrs were carefully selected as being totally frf>o from bites from other dogs which might have been suffering from rabies. The inoculation wounds healed after two day*, and the dogs seemed guile healthy and lively. The sixteenth day after the operation two of them showed symptoms of rabies, and the third followed two days later. The first two dogs had fully developed rabies sixty daye after the first symptoms had appeared. To sare the third dog unnecessary suffering he wss killeJ as soon as he developed decided symptoms of rabies. — L'incot., Aug. 2 >, 1886.