Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-11-26

hn ntlrlOom, which had probably been IN
the Mallaby family for years. Jack looked
1t over curiouslv, medilatively, then sud
denly raising his eyes he stared intently
INTO Sir Lewis Mallaby's face, and almost
as quickly dropped them again.
This is far too valuable he said
co@rteously, too much of treasure to be
riSked in any conjuring trick; IN ordinary
modern watch might replace, but not II
work of art like this"
And he handed it back TO Sir Lewis,
who received it with ill.conccalcd Satisfac-
lion. He was as much pleased, probably,
ut jacks expression of possible failure in
the proposed trick rs at tho recovery Of
his property.
Another watch, however, was pounded
up into Il jelly, and brought out whole
from a cabinet in an adjoining room, and
this trick successfully accomplished, jack
NewbigSin, who was now completely on
his mettle, passed on to higher flights. He
had spent the vacation of the year previous
in France rs the pupil of II 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 in
creased with this new exhibition of his
powers. Thanks to his cross examination
of Mrs Sitwcll at dinner, he was in pos
session of many facts connected with the
company, although mostly strangers 20
him and some Of his hits were SO palpably
happy that he raised shouts of surprise,
followed by that terrified hush which not
unc mmonly succeeds the display of SEEM
ingly supernatural powers.
"Oh, but this is too prepostcrous," Sir
Lewis Mallaby was heard to say quite
angrily. The continued applause profound
" 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 ad-
vance. 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.
Z" | scarcely lik, to lend myself to such
folly, to encourage SO pitiful an exhibit
ton"
But he seemed to be conscious that fur
thcr protest would tell in Jacks favor.
81 will admit that you have considerable
power in this strange branch of necroman-
cy if you will answer Il few questions OF
mine
Proceed" said Jack gravely, meeting
his eyes firmly and without ilinching.
"Tell me what is most on my mind at
this present moment"
I" The want of male heir Jack re-
piled promptly, and thanked Mrs, Sitwell
in his heart
"Psbaw! You have learned from Burke
that have no children" said Sir Lewis
boldly. but he was II little taken aback
"Anything else?'
"The memory of harsh deed that you
now strive in vain TO redeem"
This borders upon mpertinence,' said
Sir Lewis, with ho flush on his cheek
and passion in his eyes. "But let us leave
distractions and try tangible realities
Can you tell me what | have in this
his tail coat.
"a pocket book"
bah! ca IN sans dire. Every one
carries pocket book in his pocket
But do you?' asked several of the by
standers. all of whom We're growing deeply
Interested in this strange duel,
Sir Lewis Mallaby confessed that he did
and produced it-an ordinary morocco
leather purse and pocket-book all in one.
Are you prepared to go on?" said The
baronct haughtly to Jack.
Certainly"
What does this pocket book contain?'
Evidence
The contest between them was now (
0utrdnce.
Evidence of what?'
"Of facts that must sooner or later come
to light. You have in that pocket bool
| links in long chain Of circumstance
which, however carefully concealed o
anxiously dreaded, time in its inexorabl'
course must bring eventually to light
There is no bond, says the Spanish prov
erb which is not some day fulfilled; nC
debt that in the long run is not paid"
| What ridiculous nonsense. give yOl
my word this pockct-bool contains nothin!
absolutely nothing-but a Bank OF Eng
land note for &l00."
"Stay!' cried Jack Newbiggin, facing
him abruptly and speaking in u voice o
thunder. " 1t is not so-you know it-i
is only the half!'
And us he spoke he took the crumplct
paper from the hands of the really stupeli
ed baronet. 1t was exhibited for inspec
tion-the half of Bank of England not
for Gl0O
There was much applause ut this harm
less and successful den0ueneM Of wha
threatened at one stage to lead to alterca
tion, perhaps to II quarrel. Bat Jacl
Newbiggin was not satisfied.
AS YOU have dared me TO do m
worst" said Jack, " listen now to what
have to say Not only did know that wa
only half of II note. but know where tn
other half is to be found.'
So much the better for me- said th
baronet, with an effort TO appear humor
Gus.
THAT other half WAS given to-shall
say, Sir Lewis?n
Sir Lewis nodded ndilfercntly.
"It was given 10 one Hester Gorrigan
an Irish nurse, six years ago. 1t was tn
price of IL deed of which you -
"Silencel Say no more cried 81
Lewis, in horror. see you know all.
swear | have had no peace since | VIA
tempted 50 sorely, and so weakly fell Bu
I am prepared to make all the rcstitutio
and reparation in my power-unIess. un
happily, unless il be already too late"
Even while he was speaking his fac
turned ghastly pale, his lips were covered
with fine white foam, he made one o
two coLvulsive attempts to steady himsel
then with wild, terrified look around, b
fell heavily TO the floor.
1t was paralytc seizure. They too
him up stairs and tended him; but tn
case was desperate from the first. Onl
Just before the end did he so far recove
the power of speech as to be able to max
full confession of what occurred.
Sir Lewis had been II younger son; tn
eldest inherited the family title, but die
early, leaving his widow to give Il him
poslhumus heir, the title remaining
allegiance until time showed whether til
infant was boy or girl. 1t proved
be II boy, whereupon Lewis Mallaby, VII
had the earliest intimaton of the fact. p'
into execution nefarious project whc
ho had carefully concocted in advance.
girl was obtained from the foundlin
hostla and substituted by Lady Mallaby
; nurse, who was in Lewis ply, for Il