The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-07-29

in bitter despair, when, on the evening
before the funeral of the murdered lady,
a note was brought to him.
1t was from the Eastchamp family
lawyer,and contained about 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.
lie found him waiting for him with
a flushed face and excited manner, and,
seizing him by the arm, he dragged him
toward the inner office.
ga most extraordinary thing" he said
"Marvelous !"
Before the detective could reply they
had passed into the private office and
found themselves face to face with
young man whose resemblance to the
young baronet was so remarkable that
Involuntary he exclaimed,
"Sir Henry Eastchampw
"Yes," the young man answered, ''the
real one You are, understand de.
tective. Explain"
An involuntary exclamation from the
detectives lips, as the truth flashed upon
HIM, Uninterrupted the sentence.
''Idiot T. he cried, ''not to have thought
of it before. l 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 i'll person TO claim your
legacy"
simply enough. was with an ex-
ploiing expedition in Africa,I was taken
prisoner by TIE natives, and kept in cap
tiyity for over a year. As soon as
escaped made the best of my way home
only to find another man had stepped into
my shoes. "
"And did you send no word until your
arrival in England?'
Eyes. Itelegraphed tony mother from
Aden."
'And that was?'
"a week ago to day"
"And you have reached home several
days sooner than you expected when you
telegraphed?' ?'
eyes"
The detective could not refrain from
an expression OF pleasure.
at grows rs clear rs MONDAY" he said.
''It was the following night your mother
was murd ed
lie was silent for moment, evident
ly thinking deeply. Then he asked:
us there any one at the hall-any old
servant that has known you from child
hood 2
"Yes,several. There is my old nurse
Esther, besides"
THAT will do the detective interrupt
ed ''let us lose no time, but 90 to the
hall. We may be too late rs it is
His enthusiasm and energy were no
without their effect upon his companions
and in silence they followed his instruc
tons. Without word they followed
him from the Office, and, hailing pass
ing carriage, entered it, and were driver
to the hall.
AT the park gates they alighted, an'
proceeding to the house, entered by tn
servants door.
"Where is Sir Henry ?" the detectiv
asked one of the servants.
SIN the libray,sir," the man answered
shut he is busy, and does not wish to b
disturbed to night"
at is no matter" the detective said
'send his old nurse, Mrs. Esther, ther
at once"
After giving his command he passe'
rapidly along the passage and up tn
staircase, still followed by the lawye
= and his companion, until he reached tn
library door, which, without knocking
he opened and entered the room,
The supposed baron was seated at a
escritoire writing, and at the intrusio
looked up with naughty frown on hi
face.
"What does this mean 7" he began, ,bu
before he could finish the sentence tn
detective had reached his side, and lai
his hand upon his arm.
at only MEANS" he answered, ''tha
the rightful heir has come to claim hi
own, and. Ian officer of the detective force
arrest you for the murder OF Lady Eas'
champ
A cry of despair broke from the lips G
the arrested man, but with a sudden lea
he wrenched himself from the detective
grasp, while his hand sought his breas
Thinking he was about to draw som
; weapon,the detectives hand also graspe
8 his revolver, but before he had done 81
the prisoners hand had again bee
taken from his breast and raised to HI
, mouth.
The sound Of breaking glass as a viz
was crushed between his teeth, cause
a malediction to leave the lips of the d'
.ectiye
"IIe has escaped us" he cried, wit
p chagrin.
"Yes," the prisoner answered, in yoic
| of despairing triumph, 81 have escape
, you. In few more moments / will b.
all, heaven !"
Il His voice died away in a choking sol
, and he fell, face downward on IL
! floor.
: Almost at the same moment the doc
q of the library again opened, and an ol
woman of more than sixty entered. FL
a moment she stood as one bewildere
= and then quickly advanced to where Il
real baronet was standing,
n "Ah, master Henry" she said, sit
you indeed. My poor,dear mistress new
# would belieue you We're dead, and it W
n that you migha have your own when "
+. came home that she got another TO taI
e your place"
nj The three listeners stood astounded
IS the secret her words revealed as she we
on to tell how, w,sooner than allow the |
,e quest to pass in the hands of her hi
10 bands enemy, Lady Eastchamp had pl
% cured substitute to represent her sC
/, They also understood how, learning II
is the real heir was about to return hon
the impostor had sought to confirm
OF claim to the name and fortune gained
d, fraud, by still darker crime
n, He was free from human punishm,
pc now, however, for the poison he h