The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-01-17


mentioned.
To the establishment of the whole party
and to the utter dismay of Waldeck, tn,
wall in front Of the vault came down with ,
crash, almost burying the astrologer in the
mass
"GOod heavens! What is this 2" exclaim,
ed Colonel Powell.
Waldeck, overcome by the sudden and un.
expected revelation of his fatal secret, was
speechless. Amelia was startled, bat her
hopes supplanted her fears, and she waited
with tremulous anxiety forthe announcement
Of Rahab's plot. The contents of the vault
were only partially exposed, and the astrol-
oyer, leaping into the aperture, threw hither
and thither the various bags and kegs; and
raised up the body of John Dcprie, so that ii
could be seen by all the party. Calling the la
borers to his assistance, the corpse was con-
veyed from its concealmeht to the open
cellar.
"The stars are indeed propitious," mutter-
ed the astrologer, as he bent over the body.
"This is astounding said Colonel Pow
ell; "but, Rahab, how knew you this No
more of the stars, scoundrel; suspect you
are an accomplice."
Gay, an accomplice," stammered WAL
deck, trembling with the violence of his
trepidation.
"An accomplice !" thundered the astrolo-
ger to Waldeck. "Villain murderer! In
the presence of heaven, l charge thee with
the murder - and Rahab's eyes flashed fire
to the goldsmith's confused gaze.
"Oh, father let us 60 out of this place.
said Amelia, thrilled with horror at the
ghastly sight which the body of the gold
smith presented.
Colonel Powell assisted Amelia up stairs,
followed by Waldeck, the astrologer, and
the laborers.
"This is strange" said the officer, when
they had reached the shop"
every strange 70 repeated Waldeck,
ghas,ly pale with fear. "This man pust
have been concerned in the murder"
"Mr. Waldeck," said the seer in mild
tone, "concealment is useless. You-you
are the assassin ~
"Pshaw! man - remarked Colonel Pow
ell "you are mad; you know not what
you say
"Where did he get the ring!"
81 found it in the shop" answered Wal
deck, striving to recover his composure.
"Lar !" exclaimed the astrologer. ,'You
took it from the finger of the corpse Ay,
you cut off the finger for the purpose of OBJ
taining it,"
"It is false false as hell 20 replied the
goldsmith.
"That can easily be determined" said Co.
lionel Powell, descending to the cellar.
He had scarcely disappeared, when Wal
deck made sudden movement towards the
door.
"No, villain I" shouted the seer, seizing
him rudely by the collar, "you shall not es-
cape"
SPY heaven he is right. The finger is
gone - exclaimed Colonel Powell con-
vinced of the truth, as he hastily entered
the shop from the cellar. "Now, I see, my
excellent Mr.. Waldeck, why you were so
willing Mr.. Robert Dewrie sheuld escape
the hands of Justice"
''You wrong me, Colonel Powell, on my
soul you do," pleaded Waldeck. 81 will ex.
plain the means by which the ring came into
my possession" and the miserable man re-
lated the interview he had had the preceding
night with Robert Dewrie.
"He must have amputated the finger him
self, and concealed the ring in the shop"
"And you happened to find it immediate
ly!" sneered Colonel Powell, upon whom
the goldsmith's ghastly face and shaking
form had produced strong impression. ~
am satisfied; and the money you procured for
me was obtained from that vault 2" But,
Mr.. Astrologer. who are you that seem to be
so familiar with this bloody business %
81 am Robert Dewrie - a:ccd .he pretend
ed astrolcger threw off his disguise. Re-
moving the white wig and long beard, he
went to washstand and effaced the stains
from his countenance.
"By heavens so it is," exclaimed Colo
mel Powell.
Waldeck glanced at him, but his shattered
nerves and wildly throbbing heart had over
Dome him, and he sunk fainting upon the
floor, from which he was removed by the la
borers.
An examination of the circumstances con-
Tinced the officer that Weldeck was undeni-
ably guilty.
"Young man." said he to Robert, 81 have
vronged you, but the circumstances were
lgainstyou."
81 know it, sir; / acquit you of every un-
worthy motive, replied Dewrie.
"You are good fellow, after all, if you
ire REBEL" and Colonel Powell extended
lis hand, which was readily accepted by the
,ther.
Amelia" said Robert, ri have proved my
innocence"
"Thank God Robert you have" and the |
lext moment the lovers were clasped in
ond embrace. which Colonel Powell did not |