The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-11-02
THE TIMES, NEW BLooMFELp, Pa NOVEMBER 1880


He was on the point of giving it up In
bitter despair, when on the evening be-
fore the funeral of the murdered lady, a
note was brought to him.
It was from the Easichamp family
lawyer, and contained but half dozen
words
"Come to my Office at once"
Rewarding the messenger with
small coin, the detective at once started
to obey the lawyers summons.
He found him waiting for him with
flushed face and excited manner, and,
setting him by the arm, he dragged him
toward the inner door office.
"A most extraordinary thing" he
said. Marvellous ~
Before the detective could reply, they
had passed into the private Office, and
found themselves face to face with a
young man whose resemblance to the
young baronet was so remarkable that
involuntarily he exclaimed
Sir Henry Eastchampl"
Yes" the young man answered,
ct the real one. You are understand, q
detective. Explain-"
An involuntary exclamation from the
detectives lips,as the truth flashed upon
him, interrupted the sentence.
Idiot !" he cried, 'not to have
thought of it before. see it all now"
Then addressing the young man:
" But how do you, sir, explain your
absence at the time when you should
have appeared in person to claim your
legacy 7"
"Simply enough. was with an ex-
ploring expedition in Africa. L was
taken prisoner by the natives, and kept
in captivity for over a year. AS soon as
l escaped L made the best of my way
home, only to find another man stepped
into my shoes"
" And did you send no word until
your arrival in England 2"
" Yes. L telegraphed to my mother
from Aden."
And that was ?"
" A week ago today
"And you have reached home several
days sooner than you expected when
you telegraphed 7"
Yes"
The detective could not refrain from
an expression of pleasure.
1t grows as clear as MONDAY" he
said. 1t was the following night your
4 mother was murdered
| 60
thinking deeply. Then he asked:
is there any one at the hall-any old
servant that has known you from child
hoodp"
"Yes, several. There is my old nurse
Esther, besides''
"That will do" the detective inter
rupted; let us lose no time, but go to
the hall. We may be too late as it is. -
His enthusiasm and energy were not
without their effect upon his compan-
ions, and in silence they followed his in
structions. Without word they fol-
lowed him from the office, and hailing a
passing carriage, entered it and were
driven to the hail.
AT the park gates they alighted, and
proceeded to the house, entered by the
servants door.
Where is Sir Henry 2" the detective
asked one of the servants.
''In the library, sir" the man an
swered but he is busy, and does not
wish to be disturbed tonight"
"It is no matter" the detective said !;
send his old nurse, Mrs. Esther, here
at once"
After giving his command he passed
rapidly along the passage and up the
staircase, still followed by the lawyer
and his companion, until he reached the
library door, which, without knocking
he opened, and entered the room.
The supposed baronet was seated at
an escritoire writing, and at the intru-
sion looked up, with naughty frown
on his face.
"What does this mean z" he began
but before he could finish the sentence
the detective had reached his side, and
laid his hand upon his arm.
cit means,'' he answered "that the
rightful heir has come to claim his own,
and that 1, an officer of the detective
force, arrest you for the murder of Lady
Eastchamp."
A cry of despair broke from the lips
, of the arrested man, but with a sudden
leap, he wrenched himself from the de-
tective's grasp, while his hand sought
his breast.
Thinking he was about to draw q