Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1869-04-15

there many davs before he obtained al
introduction TO Lady Spencclaugh
: who. with her customary liberality anc
kindness of heart at once gave hin
several commissions The privilege OF
entree to Bclair which he thus obtained.
he Systematically abused by fcrretina
ont, from the domcstics and others
all the information they could give
him respecting the private history OF
of the family, supplemcnting the same
by further insid,oas inquiries among
the old people Of the ncighbouring
villages; till having rs he thinks,
picked up sufficient information Ia
serve his vile purpose. he deliberately
sits down and writes out 4 statement
in which he claims 10 bc heir to the
title and estates ofBelair. The whole
affair would be no more than piece
Of wretchei absurdity, unworthy the
attention Of any sane man. were il not
for the ANNOYANCE which. at period
OF deep domestic aiiliction. il has
caused most cstimablc lady. Bat.
gentlemen. the comedy. If | NAV call
IT such, is not yet played out. This
individual, in consequence of an acci-
dent. is obliged to take up his resi-
dence for while nj Pcvsv Bay. from
which place he sends his Statement To
Miss Spencclaugh, and j. - far sue.
ce>sful that he induces lady Of whose
| good sense and dsccrnmcn, had
| hitherto had the highest opinion, 10
espouse his cause. But, gcntl, men,
| the climax is Yet 70 come. The very
| day after that on which he send, his
| statement TO Miss Spcdcclaugh, this
impos,cr a. ought rather 70 call him,
disappears. and has never been heard
of since. But shall tell you why he
disappear Because he Is afraid OF
being arrested and taken To task for
previous attempts of a similar kind.
Yes. gentlemen. the man himself has
gone, no one know, withcr-has nci-
thcr been seen nor heard Of for eight
weeks and Vet We are seriously called
upon to-day 10 test the validity of his
ridiculous prctcnsinns Tae whole
affair Is really to- absurd for belief
And Mr. Grccnhough leaned back in
his chair. and glanced at Mr. Penning
with an air that seemed 10 say i think,
my friend. Your case has not n leg 10
stand on : at the same time refreshing
himself copiousiy from the barone;s
box.
Then | suppose we NAV consider
this little unpicasantness ~ at An endF
said tho vicar with a genial smile.
That's right lets make everything
pleasant. said the baronct enconrag
inSly.
i beg. gentlemen. that you will not
put rs out of cDlrt IN such -unnIry
manner. said Mr. Prnning with dep
recatory smile. What Mr. Grecnough
has just ur-cd sound, very plausible.
I must admit but, pray. remember
that as vet YOU have only heard one
side OF the question. We at once CON
fcss that the disappearance Of Mr
English is c.rcum,tanc. for which We
are unable TO account. and one which,
at the first glance. may seem Ia prclu-
dice our case. But putting this fact
for the moment on one side, bcg 70
state seriously aul earnestly. on the
part Of Miss Spcncelau.h, that We are
prepared with evidence which Will 70
far To prove that many years ago, un-
der this very roof. helnous crime was
perpetrated whom, we do not say
and n good man most fonlly deceived
and if right still be right, and wrong
still be wrong. then does ii most GER.
,ainly rest with YOU two gentleman,
whom the dead master OF this house
appointed executors of his last will and
testament, 10 do what he himself would
have done. had he liyed-to metc out,
SO far as in YOU lies, simple justice 10
the living and the dead
Il really don't see said Mr. Green
hough with emphasis. that in the alb
sence Of the chief-what shall | call
him !-conspirator. we can proceed any
further in this business. Let thi, Mr.
/ English come forward III proper per-
son. and we shall then he prepare 10
hear what he may have To say for HIM
self.
Mr. Pennins shrugged his shoulders.
DO YOU really wish Ia force Us INTO a
court of law he sad. Miss Spence
laugh thought. and ! quite concured
with her, that it was advisable, in the
first instance at least, To sift this affair,
which deeply concerns the honour Of an
ancient and. reputable family, before
some tribunal OF private friends ; and
not make public scandal Of it. unless
after-circumstances should render such
course i'm perativcly necessary
'You are right, siS said the vicar
with dignity. In the position in
which l and my colleague are placed
by the will of the late Sir Philip Spen-
} celaugh. we cannot do otherwise than
lend an attentive hearing to what you
NAV have to say, and either nip thi:
, matter in the bud, if it be based on ;
lie or if it have truth for its founda
ton, see that justice be done to al
whom it may affect. Before entering
however, upon any of your proofs,
: wish to know, and daresay nv curl
osity is shared by others, whom thi
D Mr. John English asserts himself to be.
:. There was general stir and move
ment in the room as the vicar ceased
n speaking. Lady Spencelaugh's clieel
e paled perceptibly, but she shaded he
face with hand-screen, and gaze
more intently into the fire. Castor
i unfolded his arms and lifted himsel
for o moment out of the state of mood
9 irritation into which he had faller
y Vague fears Of some impending disa;
ter were beginning to coil themselve
e round his heart. What was tha meal
ing of this dark conspiracy which W.
, gathering SO ominously about him