Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-10-09

tinctly refused to lend it. But so many ear
nest entreaties we're addressed to him, th'
hostess leading the attack, that he could no
in common courtesy, continue to refuse. Will
something like growl, he took his watch of
the chain and handed it to Jack Newbiggin.
A curious, old-fashioned watch it was, which
would have gladdened the heart of watch
collector-all jewelled and enameled, adorned
with crest and inscription-an heirloom
which had probably been in the Mallaby
family for years. Jack looked it over Gu
riously, meditatively, then suddenly raising
his eyes he stared intently into Sir Lewis Nal
laby's face, and almost as quickly dropped
them again.
"This is far too valuable" he said court
eouslv, "too much of treasure to be risked
in any conjuring trick; an ordinary modern
watch I might replace, but not work Of art
like this"
And he handed it hack to Sir Lewis, who
received it with ill.concealed satisfaction. He
was as much pleased, probably, at Jacks ex.
preston of possible failure in the proposed
trick as at the recovery of his property.
Another watch, however, was pounded up
into jelly, and brought out whole from a
cabinet in an adjoining room; and this trick
successfully accomplished, Jack Newbiggin
who was now completely on his mettle, passed
on to higher flights. He had spent the va
cation Of the year previous in France as the
pupil of a wizard Of European fame, and had
mastered many of the strange feats which are
usually attributed to clairvoyance. There is
something especially uncanny about these
tricks, and Jacks reputation rapidly increased
with this new exhibition of his powers.
Thanks to his cross-examination of Mrs. Sit
we'll at dinner, he was in possession Of many
facts connected with the company, although
mostly strangers to him; and some of his hits
we're so palpably happy that he raised shouts
of surprise, followed by that terrified hush
which not uncommonly succeeds the display
of seemingly supernatural powers.
"Oh, but this is too preposterous," Sir Lew
is Mallaby was heard to say quite angrily.
The continued applause profoundly disgusted
him. "This is the merest charlatanism. 1t
must be put an end to. 1t is the commonest
imposture. These are things which he has
coached up in advance. Let him be tried
with something which upon the face of it he
cannot have learned beforehand by artificial
means"
"Try him, Sir Lewis, try him yourself"
cried several voices.
81 scarcely like to lend myself to such fol-
ly, to encourage so pitiful an exhibition"
But he seemed to be conscious that further
protest would tell in Jacks favor.
81 will admit that you have considerable
power in this strange branch of necromancy
if you will answer few questions of mine"
"Proceed," said Jack gravel y, meeting his
eyes firmly and without f1inching
"Tell me what is most on my mind at the
present moment" a-.. .. ..5
"The want of a male heir" Jack replied
promptly, and thanked Mrs. Sitwell in his
heart. ......... .. .....
"Pshaw You have learned from Burke
that I have no children" said Sir Lewis
boldly, but he was little taken aback.
Anything else?'
"The memory of harsh deed that you now
strive in vain to redeem"
"Ths borders on impertinence," said Sir
Lewis, with hot blush on his cheek and
passion in his eyes. "But let US leave ab-
stractions and dry tangible realities. Can
you tell me what I have in this pocket p
He touched the left breast Of his tail coat.
"A pocketbook."
"Bah! Ca 10 sans dire. Every one carries
a pocket book in his pocket"
"But do your" asked several of the by
ISLANDERS, all of whom were growing deeply
interested in this strange duel.
Sir Lewis Mallaby confessed that he did,
and produced tan ordinary morocco leath-
er purse and pocketbook all in one.
care you prepared to 60 on ?" said the
baronet, haughtily to Jack.
"Certainly."
"What does this pocket book contain?"
"Evidence"
The contest between them was now au-
trance.
evidence of what?"
"Of facts that must sooner or later come to
light. You have in that pocket-book, links
in long chain of circumstances which, how.
ever carefully concealed or anxiously dread.
ed, time in it's inexorable course must bring
eventually to light. There is no bond, says
the Spanish proverb, which is not some day
fulfilled no debt that in the long run is not
paid"
"What ridiculous nonsense! give you
my word, this pocket.book contains nothing
absolutely nothing-but Bank of England
note for one 9100."
'Stay p' cried Jack Newbiggin, facing him
abruptly and speaking in voice of thunder.
"It is not so-you know tit is only the
halfw
And as he spoke he took the crumpled
paper from the hands of the really stupifed
baronet. 1t was exhibited for Inspection
the half of a Bank of England note for 9l0O.
There was much applause at this harmless
and successful dsnouement of what threatened
at one stage to lead to alteration and per-
haps to quarrel. But Jack Newbiggin was
not satisfied
GAS you have dared me to do my worst, y
said Jack, "lsten now to what have to say.
Not only did know that was only the half
of a note, but know where the other half is
to be found"
$50 much the better for me" said the bar
onet, with an effort to appear humorous:
"That other half was given to-shall l say,
Sir Lewis ?"
Sir Lewis nodded indiferently.
"It was given to one Hester Gorrigan, an
Irish nurse, six years ago. 1t was the price
of a deed of which you"
"Silence Say no more," cried Sir Lewis
in horror. II see you know all. swear I
have had no peace since I was tempted so
sorely, and SO weakly fell. But I am pre-.
pared to make all the restitution and repara.
ration in my power-unless, unhappily, unless
it be already too late
Even while he was speaking his face turned
ghastly pale, his lips were covered with a
Ena white foam he made one or two oonvul,