The Union and journal., 1870-01-21
TunsD NARRATIVE.
Contributed By Fraaklin Blake.
CHAPTER u-cosrtS,,rp

OOHUtOuacu W ITuSt" DtbAc.
CHAPTER II-coSrNuED.
remembered the place the moment
Bettercdge mcntionedit. The farmhouse
stood in sheltered inland valley, ON the
banks Of the prcttiest stream in that part
of Yorkshire and the farmer had a
spare bedroom and parlor. which he was
accustomed TO let to artists, anglers and
tourists in general. A more agreeable
place Of abode. during my stay in the
neighborhood. could not have wished TO
find. .#-
Are the rooms to let p inquired.
Mrs. Hotherstone herself, Sir. asked
for my good word to recommend the
rooms yesterday"
IN take them, Bettsrcdge, with the
greatest pleasure
We went back 10 the yard. in which I
had left my travelling bag. After putting
u stick through the handle and swinging
the bag over his shoulder Betteredge ap-
pcared TO relapse into the bewilderment
which my sudden appearance had caused.
when l surprised him in the beehive
chair. He looked incrcdulously at the
house. and then he wheeled about, and
looked moro incredulously still at me.
I've lived n goodish long time in the
world said this best and dearest of all
servants-'but the like Of this I never
did expect to sec. There stands the house,
and here stands Mr.. Franklin Blake
and. Damme, IL one Of them isn't turning
his hack on the other, and going to sleep
in lodgingr
He led the way out. wagging his head
and growing ominously. There's only
one more miracle that can happen he
said to me. over his shoulder. The next
thing you'll do. Mr.. Franklin. will be to
pay me hack that seven-and-siNpence YOU
borrowed Of me when you were boy
This stroke Of sarcasm put him i'm n
better humor with himself and with me.
We left the house, and passed through the
lodge gates. Once clear of the grounds.
the duties OF hospitality Tin Bettcredge's
code Of morals) ceased, and the privileges
Of curiosity began.
He dropped back, so as TO let me get on
level with him. Fine evening for u
walk. Mr.. Franklin he said. rs II we had
Just accidentally encountered each other
Mt that moment. 'Supposing you had
gone to the hotel at Frizinghall, SirT
.Yes?'
Il should have had the honor Of break
fasting with you tomorrow morning.
Come and breakfast with me Mt Hoth.
crstone's Farm, instead
Much obliged TO you for your Kindness,
Mr.. Franklin. But IL wasn't exactly
breakfast that I was driving Mt. 1 think
YOU mentioned that you had something
to say To me? III it's no secret, SIR said
Bctteredgc, suddenly abandoning the
crooked way. and taking the straight one,
I'm burning TO know what's brought YOU
down here. II you please, In this sudden
way
What brought me here beforer I
asked.
sThe Moonstone. Mr.. Franklin. But
what brings you now, ,SirY
The Moonstone again. Bettcredgc.'
The old man suddenly stood still. and
looked at me in the gray twilight rs IL he
suspected his own ears of deceiving him.
III that's joke, Sir he said. Pm afraid
I'm getting u little dull in my old age. j
don't take it, ..-
IT'S no Joke I answered. 'Ihave come
here to take up the inquiry which WAS
dropped when l left England. have
come here to do what nobody has done
veto find out who took the Diamond
Let the Diamond b., Mr.. Franklin!
Take my advice. and let the Diamond be!
That cursed Indian jewel has misguid-
cd every body who has come near il.
Don't waste your money and your temper
i'm the fine spring time of your life.
Sir-by meddling with the Moonstone.
How can you hope TO succeed (saving
your presence), when Sergeant Cuff him
repeated Betteredge, shaking his forefin-
ger at mo sternly. The greatest police
man In Englandr
My mind Is made up, my old friend.
Even Sergeant Cuff doesn't daunt me.
-By-the-by. may want to speak TO him.
sooner or later. Have you heard any
thing of him lately?
The Sergeant won't help you. MIR.
Franklin
why not?
There has been an event, Sir, I'm the
police-circles. since YOU went away. The
great Cuff has retired from business. He
has got little cottage at Dorking; and
he's up to his eyes in the growing Of roses.
I have il in his own handwriting. Mr..
Franklin. He has grown the white moss
rose. without budding il on the dog-rose
first. And Mr.. Berbie the gardener is TO
20 TO Dorking. and own that the Sergeant
has beaten him at last
1t doesn't much NATTER l said Il
must do without Sergeant Cuffs help.
And must trust To You, at starting
Ii is likely enough that spoke rather
carelessly. At any rate. Bettercdse seem-
cd To be piqued by something in tho reply
which 1 had just made to him. You
might trust tn worse than me. Mr.. Frank
lin-I can tell you that he said, little
sharply. .. ..I ...
The tone in which he retorted, and q
certain disturbance, after he had spoken.
which detected In his mauner, suggested
To me that hc was possessed Of some In
formation which he hesitatcd to commu-
nicate.
Il expect You to help me- said. in
picking up the fragments OF evidence
which Sergeant Cuff has LEFT behind him.
know you can do that. Can you do no
morer @
What more can You expect from me,
Sirr asked Betteredgc. with an appear
ance of the utmost humility.
lexpect more-from what You said just
now.' ~
Mere boasting. Mr.. Franklin return
ed the old man, obstina,ely. Some peo-