The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-11-12
CHAPTER XVI.

southern District Of New York;
CHAPTER XVI.
We found my lady with no ligh, in the room
but the reading lamp. The shade was screwed
down 30 as To oyershsiow her f.ee. Instead Of
looking up at US in her usual straightforward
way, she sat close at the table. and kept her
eyes fId obstinately on an open book.
"Oaicer," she said, "s II important to the
inquiry you are conducting TO know beforehand
II any person now In this house wishes to leave
it,"
"Most important, my lady"
"I have to tell you, then, that Miss Verinder
proposes going to stay with her aunt, Mrs. Able
white, Of FriInghall. She has arrsnged TO
leave US the FIRST thing tomorrow morning"
Sergeant Cuff looked at me. made n step
forward 10 speak TO my mistres-snd, feeling
my heart fail me (if must own it, took step
back again, and said nothing.
MAY I ask your ladyship ichen Miss Yerin-
quircd the Sergeant.
about an hour since" answered my mis-
trcss.
Sergeant Cuff looked at me once more. They
say oil peoples hearts are not very easily moy-
ei. M heart couldn't have thumped much
harder than IL did now, IL 4 had been hve-and-
twenty again
.I have no claim, my lady," says the Ser
reant, ..to control Miss verinder's actions. All
/ can ask you to do Is to put OF her departure,
II possible. till later in the day. must 20 to
Priiinshall myself tomorrow morning-and |
shall be back by two O'Clock. II not before. II
Miss verinder can be kept here till that time,
should wish to say two words to her-unex-
pectedly-bcfore she goes
My lady directed me TO give the coschmsn
her orders that the carriage was not to come for
Miss Rachel until two o'clock. "Hsye you
more to sayi" she asked Of the Sergeant, when
this had been done.
"Only one thing. your lsdyship. IL Miss
verinder Is surprised 1t this change in the ar
ransements, please not TO mention me rs being
the cause Of putting OF her journey"
NY mistress lifted her head suddenly from
her book as IL she was going to say something
checked herself by great en6rt-and, looking
back again at the open page. dismissed US with
sign Of her hand.
.sThat's wonderful woman" said Sergeant
Cuff, when we were out In the hall again. "But
for her self-control the mystery that puzrles you
Mr.. Bettercdge, would have been at an end to-
night"
AT those words the truth rushed at last into
nv stupid old head. For the moment sup
pose must have gone clean out Of my senses.
seized the Sergeant by the collar Of his coat and
pinned him against the wall.
"Damn you 20 cried out, "there's some
thing wrong about Miss Rschel-and you have
been hiding IL from me al this time -
Sergeant Cuff lookel up at me-dt against
the wsil-without string q hand or moving a
muscle Of his face.
"Ah," he said, "you'ye guessed II at last 80
My hand dropped from his collar, and my
head snnk on my breast. Please 10 remember,
as some excuse for my breaking out as did that
hal served the family for hfty years. Miss
R,chel had climei upon my knees, and pulled
my whiskers, many and many and many time
when she was child. Miss Rachel with all her
faults, had been, to my mind, the dearest and
prettest and bcst young mistress that ever an
old servant waited on, and loved. l beggei
Sergeant Butf's pardon, but i am afraid did Il
with watery eyes, and not In very becoming
way.
"Don't distress yourself, Mr.. Betteredge,
saws the Sergeant, with more kindness than
had any right to expect from him. "In my line
of life, five were quick at taking otense we
shouldn't be worth salt TO our porridge. IL It's
any comfort TO you, collar me again. You don't
In the least know how to doit but I'll overlook
your awkwariness In consideration Of your feel
ings."
lie curled up at the corners Of his lips, and,
in his own dreary way, seemed TO think he had
delivered himself Of q very good joke.
I lei him into my own little sitting-rcom and
closed the door.
sTell me the truth, Sergeant" said. "whai
do yOa suspect' It's no kindness to hide it from
me now."
II don't suspect" said Sergeant Cuff al
know"
My unlucky temper began to set the better
Of me again.
"Do you mean TO tell me in plain English,
said, .'that Mis- Rachel has stolen her own Dia-
mond 7"
eyes," says the Sergeant; "thst Is what
mean to tell you In 50 many worls. Miss We
rinder has been in secret possession ofthe Moon
stone from first 10 last and she had taken Ro-
slnnS Spearman into her confidence because
she has calculated on our suspccting Rossnns
Spcarman Of the theft. There Is the whole case
In a nutshell. Collar me again. Mr.. Better
edge. Fits any vent to your feelings, collar
me again"
God help me ny feelings were not 10 be re
Level in that way. "Giye me your reasons ~
That was All I could saw IN him
..y"n .h.,, h,,,r INV rc..ans ,,-morr,u - all
a.. s..r,.an, ar Mis-. yer;nder rrf,.s. n rn,
.g,.. ssv 81, - h.r aunt .sh;ch ,oa -;,, snJ
NJ v,;.,ss. Ill An .h.n n, AN, =, n.
~. .so,s rs.. hss,r. y,ar mi,,rs., ,s.morrow
A.. AL =. So,,, Lnov vhat nav come Of n.
Iii 80, Won % n. nrc,rnt snd 10 hear wbat
..s... oc ho,S siiss. LEI the matter rr-t for
pn;sh, p;h No Mr.. Bet,rreire. you don't rrt a
80, -, An. .,h;s,t of the No,,s,one ont
Wo'u uo.s W ~ -, -, .