The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-08-11

did not repeat MS threat OF altering III
will, and Arthur Downing had come up Z
town in the full expectation thathe was hi
unCle's heir. Mr.. Parchment was much
struck by the magnanimity which tbs
young man displayed towards MIR. Hus
keith. Far from attributing his rivals
good fortune to chicanery or undue
Influence, he said that his uncle
had always rather dStrusted the
man, and was not the least likely to have
consulted him about the disposition OF his
property. lie expressed his conviction
that Husketh was highly respectable per
son, and frankly admitted that his long
and faithful service entitled him to sub
stantial beneiits from his late master
When the young man proceeded TO say
that he must now resign his commission,
and emigrate to the colonies 10 begin life
afresh, Mr.. Parchment felt that he would
gladly forfeit his legacy II he could find q
flaw in old Mr.. Downings unjust will
However, he knew very well that the doc
ument was perfectly valid on the face oil It,
and he therefore had to content himself
with wringipg Arthur Downing's hands
sympathetlcaily as they parted, with
mutual expressions Of good will.
This interview, though intended to in
crease the lawyers antipathy to Mr.. Huss'
keith, served 10 satisfy him Of the mans
integrity, and he therefore took the neces-
sary steps for proving the will without de:
lay, leaving his Co.executor to dispose OF
the testat0r's furniture and household
effects. As old Mr.. Downing, though a
rich man, only occupied the upper part OF
house in Harwood square, his domestic
affairs were easily arranged, and the lawyer
was much impressed by the cool, business
like manner in which the late valet set to
work.
One evening, about week after the fu-
neral, Mr.. Parchment was preparing to
leave the Office, at IN unusually early hour
for him, when Mr.. Husketh was announced.
The ex.valet appeared less placid and SELF
possessed than usual, and asked the lawyer
10 lend him GOO for few days, until the
probate OF the will could be obtained.
Though surprised at the request, Mr..
Parchment asked no questions, but at
once wrote out check for the amount.
Husketh was anxious to receive the money
in cash, but as the lawyer could not ac-
commodate him, and the banks were
closed, he had to be content with an open
check. Having handed over the draft,
Mr.. Parchment directed his confidential
clerk 10 prepare formal receipt for Mr..
Huskelh's signature, and hurried away 10
keep an appointment.
Next morning, when he reached the Of
flee, his clerk, an intelligent young fellow,
who had desk in the corner OF Mr.. Parch-
ment's room, closed the door behind him
with air nj u atnPU and uaids
''lf you please, sir, l ventured to stop
that check you gave Mr.. Husketh last
night" -,
quite aghast. SLOW dare you DO such
thing without asking met"
"When old Mr.. Downing signed his
will, sir" said the clerk hurriedly, II was
one OF the attesting witnesses, and l no.
ticed that he had singular scar on the
back Of his hand"
swell, and what II he had ?" exclaimed
the lawyer irritably.
at is singular coincidence that Mr..
Husketh has precisely similar mark on
the back Of his hand-a scar like burn,
Just below the wrist. noticed it when he
signed the receipt yesterday" said the clerk
impressively.
Before Mr.. Parchment had time to COM.
ment on this communication, another clerk
entered the room, followed by a young
woman, who did not wait to be announced,
but pushed herself in front OF him, and
confronted the astouished lawyer with
flaming eyes. Inner hand she held slip
Of paper, which he recognized as one Of his
own checks, and this circumstance helped
him to identify the young woman as the
servant maid who had opened the door to
him when be called at Hardwood square
to announce to Husketh his good fortune.
"Wbat is the meaning OF this?" she cried,
holding out the slip OF paper with tremb-
ling fingers.
~ am sorry" said Mr.. Parchment, per-
ceiving that it was the CHECK he had given
to Hugketh. "rhere has been misnnder-
standing, Pm afraid. Pray be seated"
misunderstanding! Yes, Ishould think
SOL! exclaimed the young woman, speak.
ing in shrill and excited voice. "He told
me that l had only to go to the bank, and
| should get two hundred sovereigus for
that, instead OF which l am treated like
pickpoCket aud sent over here. knew 1t
was only trick Of his. He wanted me TO
20 without money; but l knew him too
well, so then he gives me this to quiet me-"
"Where did he want you to go2" inquir-
ed Mr. Parchment, pricking up his ears,
10 Holland first, and then to join me
in week or two, as soon as he'd got the
money" replied the young woman, who
seemed carried away by furious indigna-
ton; shut after being treated like this, he
won't get me out of the country-not he
| can see his game; lie wants to get me
out Of the way because | know too much
the mean-spirited, sly.iaced scoundrelw
iii you will tell me what you know it
will be TO your advantage" said MIR. Parch.
ment, with sndden interest.
~ don't know what he has been up 10,
il you mean that" replied the woman,
viciously; II only wish l did. But you
asked him why he came creepin' in one
evening dressed in masters clothes, and SO
disguised that thought it was the master,
Tor the minute, though | knew poor Mr..
Downing was lying up stairs too i'll to move
hand or foot"
"Bless my soulp exclaimed Mr.. PArch.
ment, nearly Jumping out OF his char.
Gan yoa-ahen !-are you aware whether
the late Dir. Downing had scar on the
back OF his right hand, like Mr.. Husketh
has2
"l'll swear he had not, for nursed him
through his late Illness" said the woman
promptly.
Mr.. Parchment drew long breath, and
exchanged significant glance with his
clerk, who at once took cab and drove TO
Scotland yard, while the lawyer dispatched
u brief telegram to Arthur Downing.