American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-03-15

brought disgrace upon the family. T.
assist Delamere, Eustace borrowed a larg,
sum Of money. This was in joshua
course, charge the estates, which he wa
} only to acquire under the will of mar
who was still living, and who might a
any time change his mind as to the dis
posal of his property. The only security
Eustace could offer was his reversionary
interest in a sum in the funds invested
for the benefit of his mother, and the
subject indeed of the Delpratt Trust, the
deeds and papers of which are in that tir
box beside you. Further, he could, as ht
did, insure his life heavily, lodge the pol
icies. and bind himself to pay the pre-
miums regularly. OF the money ad
vanced Eustace never touched q half
penny. All was absorbed by Delamere
On coming into possession of the estates
Eustace paid off the loan, but thought it
worth while to keep up the policies. He
had especially in view the benefit of the
legitimate members of the family. OF
these the man you saw to day
81 did not see him." interrupted Mr..
Pixley. II was engaged when he called.
But heard of his visit from the assist
ant secretary, who had some converse
ton with him."
"Well, of these Ernest Delpratt is now
the sole representative; for Delamere, his
father, died of drink, many years ago,
leaving no other issue. Eustace, my
old friend and client, left no chill
dren. Here you have, briefly told,
the story of the Delpratts."
Then this Ernest is the last of the
racer"
1.-THE last of the race"
and hes"
"wen, I'd rather defer my opinion.
knSk h. - II IL
and there he's wrong. Hurry, needless
hurry-and hurry is generally needless
provokes distrust. The case must be
looked into, but very quietly"
''In suspicious cases.
'Mind, don't say that this is suspic-
ious as yet" interrupted Mr.. Merdock.
LET me continue. In suspicious cases
| what we have to inquire is, who is the
| person who benefits by the death of the
| insured? If wrongs been done, there
must be an inducement, q motive for it.
Find out that, and"-
my dear Pixley, hadn't you better
leave it all to me? Don't keep a dog and
bark yourself. I'll attend to it. Pm
going to the funeral on the 27th."
"You are? Then I've nothing more to
say; only keep me informed of every
thing"
"Of everything. And mind you do the
same tOWaTUS me.
That night Mr.. Merdock left London.
On the morning of the 9th of Novem-
Der a carriage from LuptOn Manor was
waiting at the Andover station to meet
the early train from London. Mr.. Mer-
dock, however, stood on the platform of
the station some time before the arrival
of the train. He was dressed in deep
black, and looked worn and anxious
Among the passengers brought down
from town was Mr.. Pixley. Mr.. Merdock
fastened towards him, and drew him
aside.
''You got my letter, Of course. Now
be very careful, Pixley. Don't say
word more than you can help.
There's carriage waiting to take us to
Lupton, a pleasant drive over the Hamp-
shire downs. The drivers been resting
at the Andover Arms; he only drew up
to the station when the train was in sight.
He supposes that we both came down by
the train: You're understood to be my
clerk. You would come, and you must
accept that position. But be very care
full what you say. Not a word more now
You're from -Lupton, coachman? To
meet gentleman from London? Quite
right"
They entered the carriage and were
driven from the station.
fellow mustn't hear u.s. This is a delicate
matter, and We must proceed very eau
tiously."
"Wen? And what's been donep"
GIVE not been idle, but I'll own I've
but poor case as yet. 1 can't get much
beyond suspicion. 1 cannot arrive at
proof. Still, I've set two or three at
work, and something may come out at
any moment. 1 couldn't appear actively
in the matter myself for many reasons.
We must lull suspicion as much as posi-
BILE. The criminal, if there is one-and,
mind, won't yet say that there is one
will then grow holder, imprudent, per-
haps, and then we have a chance"
1.-THE funeral will proceedy"
''NOt SO loud. Yes. You know, or
perhaps you don't know, what country
coroners are. And we've scarcely a pre-
text for demanding an inquest. The doc
eurismal hypertrophy. What can we do
in the face of his certificate? The ser
wants have been got at, not by mel did
not dare go near the house-and question
ed skilfully enough without awakening
their suspicious. Something has been
gathered that may be of importance. A
hint of physic bottles destroyed imnedi-
it's nothing like clear enough at present,
and there may be nothing in it."
"But if the funerar'-
The funeral doesn't matter. If we've
any evidence to go upon, we can obtain
from the Home Office an order for disin-
terment. Never mind about the funeral.
Get that over quietly; it may be all the
better for US"
81 But the other doctor, who gave hin.
to the Office
"Pve seen him, and it only comes to
this-he suspects. He was dismissed
from attendance upon the deceased three
weeks ago; so, you know, he couldn't
have seen poor Delpratt during his last
fortnight of life. Still, he mentioned
some facts that were worth noting. At
the same time, you know, he may be
charged with being ac.uated by profess
incompetency; that's how it would be
put to jury"
But what does he suspect?"
suspicious, mind, amount to nothing,
unless you can support them with evil
dence of facts, and that we can't do at
present. But he suspects-bend your
head )" Mr.. Merdock clutched his com
panion by the forearm, and whispered
into his ear-"he suspects that the medi-
cines were tempered with, and that death
resulted from the administration Of
poison-probably arsenic, in small but
frequent doses. That could only have
been done by some one in constant at
tendance upon the deceased"
And we know that Ernest Delpratt
had opportunities of that kind"
Yes; that we know. He sat up some
nights with the deceased, was with him,
indeed, continually, except on the day of
his death; then he was absent, out all day
n ha II