The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-10-03

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cicntiously right through his repertoire.
There was never smile on Sir Lcwis'
face; he sneercd unmistakably. Final
ly, with an ostentation that savored of
rudencss, he took out his watch, a great
gold repeater, looked Mt it, and unmis-
takably yawned.
Jack hungered for that watch direct
ly he saw il. Perhaps through it he
might make its owner uncomfortable,
if only for moment. But how to get
it into his hands. lie asked for a
watch, dozen were offered. No o,nonc
of these would do. IL must be gold
watch, a repeater. Sir Lewis Mallaby'sI
was the only one in the room, and he
at first distinctly refused to lend it.
But so many earnest entreaties were
addressed to him, the hostess leading
the attack, that he could not in common
courtesy continue to refuse. With
something like growl he took his
watch of the chain and handed il TO
Jack Newbiggin.
a curious old-fashioned watch it was,
which would gladden. the heart of
watch collcctor--all jcwcled and cnam-
eled, adorned with crest and inscrip-
tion-an heirloom which had probably
been in the Mallaby family for years.
Jack looked it over curiously, mcdita-
lively, then suddenly raising his eyes
he stared intently into Sir Lewis Ma,
labys face, and almost as quickly drop
ped them again.
"This is far too valuable" he said
courtcously, 81 too much of treasure
to be risked in any conuring trick; an
ordinary watch might replace, but not
work of art like this"
And he handed it back to Sir Lewis,
who received il with ill-concealed sat
istaction. He was as much pleased,
probably, at Jacks expression of prob
able failure in the proposed trick as at
the recovery of his property.
Another watch, however, was pound
ed up into q jelly, and brought out
whole from cabinet in an adjoining
room; and this trick successfully ac-
complishcd, Jack Newbiggin, who was
now completely on his mettle, passed
on to higher flights. lie had spent the
vacation of the previous year in France
as the pupil of wizard of European
fame, and had mastered many of the
TRANCE feais which are usually attribut-
ed to clairv oyancc. 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.
Slillwell at dinner, he was in possession
of many facts connected with the COM
pGny, although mostly strangers to him
and some of his hits were so palpably
happy that he raised shouts of surprise
followed by that terrified hush which
not uncommonly succeeds the display
Of supernatural powers.
"Oh, but this is too preposterous,"
Sir Lewis Mallaby was heard to say
quite angrily. The continued applause
disgustcd him. "This is the mcrcst
charlatanism. II must be put an end
to. Ii is the commoncst imposturc.
These are things he has croached up in
advance. Let him be tried with some
thing which upon the face of it he cam
not have learned beforehand by any ar
liicial means"
Try him, Sir Lewis; try him your
self" cried several VOICES.
" scarcely like to lend myself to
such folly TO encourage so pitiiul an ex-
hibiiion."
| But hc seemed to be conscious that
further protest would tell in Jacks IA
vor.
:" will admit that You have consid-
cradle power in this strange branch of
nccromancy if you will answer lew
questions of mine"
" Proceed" said Jack, gravcly, meet
ing his eyes firmly and without finch
ing.
"Tell me what is most OH my mind
at this present moment"
"The want of Il male heir" Jack re
piled, promptly, and thanked Mrs. Sit
we'll in his heart.
"Pshaw! You have learned from
Burke that have no children, said Sil
Lewis, boldly, but he was little taken
aback. Anything else?"
"The memory of harsh deed that
you now strive in vain to redeem"
!, This borders upon impertinencc,
said Sir Lewis, with hot blush on his
cheek and passion in lis eyes. But
{ let us leave distractions and try tangi
bic realities. Can you tell me what
have in this pocket" lie touched tho
left breast of his tal-coat.
" Apocketbooh."
"Bah! ca cd sans dire. Every on
carries pOckctbook in his pocket"
I But do your" asked several of In
Q bystandcrs, all of whom were CROWN:
deeply interested in this strange duel
c Sir Lewis Mallaby confessed that h
+ did, and produced it-an ordinary mo
: rocco leather purse all in one.
y I" Are you prepared to go on?" sal,
c the baronct haughtily to Jack.
c Certainly"
o " What does this pockctbook con
b tain?"
n Evidence"
n The contest between them was no,
X an outrance.
o "Evidence of what?"
n "Ot facts that must sooner or late
N come to light. You have in that pocl
ct book links in long chain of circun
II stances which, however carefully col
ccaled or anxiously dreaded, time in j
'e ineXorable course must bring eventual
to light. There is no bond says d
lr Spanish proverb, (which is not son
ld day fulfilled; no debt in the long II
IL which is not paid.
or "What ridiculous nonsensel | gil
. you my word this pocketbook contai
tl nothing - absolutely nothing but
bank of England note for Goo"
" Stay! !" cried Jack Ncwbiggin, ia
ing him abruptly and speaking in
40 voice of thunder, 1T is not SOY,
re know it-it is only the half !"
mi And as he spoke he took the crumpl
%. paper from the hands OF the really 81
,sn pelicd baronet II was exhibited
inspcclion-the half OF "A bank of Ell
,ot land note for flOO.
There was much applause at I
l., harmless and successful uenouemcnt
no. what threatened at one stage to lead
II alteration, perhaps to a quarrel.
l,is Jack Newbiggin was not satisfied.
his - As you have dared me to do
mo-. worst" said Jack, now listen TO W
have to say. Not only did kn
J.. that was only the half OF a note, bu
-. knOW Whcfc THO "ther naIi Is 10
io, found.'
leh " SO much the better for me-" S
'ses -, the baronet, with an effort TO app
A.