Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1863-01-29

If you 60 with me and ind it false You have
only been deluded by madman or rogue
if you refuse to go after my words, her blood
and mine may be upon your head, for /, at
any rate, shall instantly return there"
He besitated, then said: "Y ou speak strong.
ly and at least, as you say my going can do
little harm, / am ready"
l stopped him again. Not alone. Let
some of your servants 60 with Us. Not for
my own sake" | added, as half smile curl.
ed his lip " only ask one mans aid but
| would not draw you into danger ; and they
are both strong men, and may have to be Sc
cured"
And if not ?" he said.
" If not, you have been deIuded," re-
peated.
Very we'll, SO be it," be answered.
Half an hour later Mr.. A rch er and myself.
with two servants, stood before the door of
Brocklehurst Grage. All seemed as undis
turbed and quiet as when l bad left it, hard
ly more than an hour ago. Was it as peace
ful within Were they still going about ther
daily work, expecting my return, while the
solitary prisoner up stairs waited and watch
ed for me in suspense that would be ended
now | rang, but no one came at first in an
swer to the summons. A terror seized me
| Could they have murdered her and fed, leav-
ing the house deserted There had surely
not been time for that. No: there is steps
sounding on the floor, and the rattle of the
door chain as it fell. A moment more and
should know. The key turned, and the door
was opened wide this time by old Pearce alone
quietly regarding US with the old sullen look
aud no more. They had guessed nothing yet,
and now it mattered little that the three men
by my side must know all.
You have had a long walk, sir" be said;
And what may this gentleman want 2" as
! Mr.. Archer stepped forward.
| looked him full n the face. He has
come to take Aun Forrest from bis house."
| At that name l tbonght to see him turn
pale or spring upon me, but no feature alter
| ed-no change came over the dogged face
Then all at once my heart misgaye me. Mr.
Archer looked embarrassed
would not willingly" be said, intrude
upon you, or suspect you of this horrible crime
with which this gentleman charges you but
he is SO positive, that, if you can, you onght
for your own sake, to clear Yourself"
Pearce looked at him unmoyed You are
Mr. Archer, of HoIme Green, think. Why
you are here, and what this man means, per-
maps you can tell, for eau not
This is what | meaD," | said Ann
Forrest whose master you murdered two years
ago, is now secretly detained in this house lest
she should accuse yen as the murderers. She
is in the room which you call a lumber-room,
aud am going there now"
"You are welcome to 90 there or any where,
ell Of you, though | know no right that you
have to search this house. 1t signifies. little
to me what you do, aud this is all of a piece
with your couduct this morning = and turning
on his heel, he went back to the kitchen.
My companions exchanged looks, aud saw
that the old villains cunning words had
strengthened their suspicious of me. That
strange, that horrible composure, what could
it mean? With sick heart | led the way
up stairs to the locked door where had
stood the night before it was locked now,
and above it hung the key. Could | nave
mistaken The place ? Nc, there was the mar
row passage just before me, the winding stair
case above and below. / snatched down the
key, unlocked the door, and entered q desc
late room half filed with boxes and old fur
niture beyond it was another room quite
empty, with no signs 10 either OF human habi-
tation This, then, was what the old mans
calmness meant yet | searched, searched
despairingly on every side, in every nook and
corner, Mr.. Archer looking on silently the
while All in vain She was gone, and not
trace of her was left | went into the 9th
| er rooms l left no spot unvisited f.; | groan'
ed aloud in my bitter remorse for having left
her to her fate. What had that fate been
That was the thought that lay heavy at my
heart as We went at last to the kitchen. As
we were about to enter it, Mr. Archer drew
me aside.
You remember" be said "your own
words when you brought me here. | have
been patient | have given you every chance;
now comes your turn. For my sake ana
your OWE, as well as the men you wronged,
you must confessS openly either to cruel
slander, Or"
An insane farcy," l said, flushing the
sentence. Not yet. There are gardens
and out-houses | must search them. They
may even have carried her off"
How could they in broad daylight P
You here till an hour ago and no cart or horse
about the pace-that at least is impossible.
Besides, the man is here"
said nothing in reply. What could
say p? The old man was still alone and sit
ting by the hre as we passed through the
kitchen to the backdoor. He raised his head,
and pointing to basket on the table, said
My wife got those ready before she went
to market. don't ask if you have found any
thing up stairs, because there was nothing to
find but hope you arc satisfied"
| was silent bnt Mr. Archer paused to
say few words before following me out up.
on my frnitless quest. Every where, in lofts
and sheds, summer houses and stables, round
the gardens and yards-on all sides bunted
and hunted in vain. The fowls in the chicken
yard, the old dog in his kennel were the only
living beings that met my eyes; and turning
to Mr.. Archer, said, at last, " give it up"
And withdraw your accuSations?" he ask