The Worthington advance., 1878-12-05
"stunned, I s'pose, close BY" was the

tors and Garforth, and bring me back an
answer sharp. Take my horse; that other
brute might get you recognized" /
"Besidcs," said the other, "the animal
has trottcd off," which was true and
much to my regret.
II will wait for you at the corner o
Deadman's- s-lane," said the first speaker,
as his companion mounted and rode on;
and he continued his search for me, little
was creeping away from him
the plantation, out OF which, at
length I emerged, and, crossing some
fields, regained the road, and had the un
speakable qualification ofseelng the horse
I had ridden fastened to gate. This, l
suppose, had been done by Stevens when
he overlook him. I was once more in
the saddle, and away we went as fast as
horse could 60. About three miles from
here the road to Garforth branches Oft to
the right; and as I came down the hill
towards the turning, l preserved Stevens
riding along it. Quick as thought, l
threw myself flat on the horses back,
thinking it just possible he might hear
the galloping, turn round and try his
hand as marksman; fortunately he did
not; and arrived at my destination with
out any further adventure. To call up
the assistant. have the prescription made
up, and attend to the horse, were hings
speedily done: and, ere long, was again
in the saddle.
Now I looked before, beside and
behind me; but all was peaceful. neared
the plantation where I had been stopped: :
but no one barred my progress; 50 Or |
rode, not quite reassurcd though, for l
had not forgotten my pursuer was to wait
at the corner Of Deadman's lane, and l
did not know where that was. And now
the open road, shining in the clear moon
light; lay bright and untcnantcd before
me. I could distinguish Mazeborough h
House, and nearer, the lane up which,
when coming with DR.. Seyton, we had
seen horseman riding. When it struck
me that as that horseman was not the
messenger who had been dispatched for
TIC doctor, that functlonary having ar
rived before Us, it might have been the
one who had stopped nc, and that that
was Deadman's-lane. There WAS no help
tor it; must pass the spot; So, feeling
for the pistol had taken the precaution
to bring with me this time, I pressed the
horses sides and urged him on. I was
not four Or five yards from the lane when
a man started into the roadway ana stood
directly in front of me; his figure Was
slight and his face concealed 10y q mask;
but when he spoke, recognized the voice
that babe me ''stand and deliver
mot quite so fast, young sir" said he.
:.s he perceived my intcnti III to draw on
one side. We don't part quite SO easily
tNis time. + must have the mraicine.'
What medicine?" I asked.
"Oh? none of that stuff for me. want
that physic you hayc been sent tor; and
that bottle l must and will have. So
take your choice; that bottle and lite:
Or" producing a pistol, this barrel and
deathl'
1T was serious moment; but my plan
was at once decided on; SO putting my
hand in my breast as if for the bottle, l
rcincd close up beside him and as he Gag
erly stretched forth his hand for the ex-
pectcd prize, drew my pistol and fired
I saw him stagger, and in few moments
after, as it seemed, I was at the gate OF
marlborough House.
Once inside and safe, I had no sooner
delivered the medicine to the servant, &C
be taken up stairs to DR.. Seyton, than tho
state Of tension to which my nerves (not
of the strongest) had been strung, gave
way, and but tor some stimulcnt from
the steward should have tainted away
However, I soon recovered sufficiently &c
| narratc tny adventure to him; but lie on) J
| aughed at my attribuing literal mean
| ing 10 the robbers demand for the bottle
and suggested it might be slang for plum
lder; 10 I held my peace on that head
feeling the force of the lines:
a man convinced against his will
Is of the same opinion still.
The conversation with the steward soon
changed to the family, and I Iea1ned
! from him that the Hon. Fredric Wellestel
had a half brother Ernest, very wild
>!issipated person, who had been II favor
ite with the Earl until his character was
found out. This Ernest usei to live At
Caultdale Place, one the Earl's seats
seue fifteen or sixteen miles off; but oW-
ing to heavy gaming debts, he Was com
pclled to break up his establishment, and
only retained one servant, whom, after a
time, he also discharged. This servant
Mr.. Fredric had engaged, "and," contin
ued the steward, "a very decent servant
Stevens was"
''Stevens!' l e]aculated very loudly,
dare say, for man looked into the apart
mcnt and inquired: 'Did you call, sir?
was struck dumb; thousand ideas
rushed through my brain. "No; it wa:
nothing" replied the steward; and the
man disappeared, but not before ha1l
recognized in him one Of the men con
cerned in my late adventure. Jast at this
MON ent there was great disturbance in
the house, found DR.. Seyton standing
on the staircase interrogating Stevens,
the other domestics being grouped
around.
"How is this2" exclaimed the doctor,
"How came you to bring ME this? It con-
tains slow poison
''The gentlman brought il, sir, and, of
course, l gave it to you"
'But, surely, Poor could never have
made this up. Look at it, Frank; what
do you say2' and DR.. Seyton held out
the bottle; aud before could reach il
Stevens haa taken it, and the vial was
dashed to pieces on the ground. The
| doctor looked annoyed at what appeared
to him to be an accident; bat to me there
was design IN it; so as he reascended the
stairs I called to Stevens, who followed
me and the steward into the latter's
apartment; when; shutting the door and
placing my back against it, / thus ad-
dressed him: "How did you come pos
sessed of that bottle you let fall Just this
minute?" (for could see it was not the
one brought, "and for what motive did
you stop my horse few hours since, and
who was your companion2' These queries
poured out rapidly, not giving time for
any distinct reply; but when I paused
for moment he answered with look OF
the utmost astonishment: 'Sir, really
do not understand you. The bottle you
brought gave the doctor; and to stop
ping your horse and about companion,
am quite at loss to know what you