Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-01-11
"That sounds strange I don't at all

THAT sounds strange l don't at all
understand"
"Yon have heard mo speak of Count
Silvestrelli ?"
The critic had quick, reminiscent
flash, which made his affirmative sound
like an interrogation.
"Well," continued Cecil, "his wife is
an Englishwoman. There is some mys-
terry about her marriage, and she is very
unhappy. That night we were together
at the theatre she told me her husband
was acquainted with Seshaya Sastri. l
might have learned more had she not
suddenly tainted / did not know the
cause of her agitation ut the time, but
the next morning she sent me note, in
which she said that Sastri had occupied
the box next ours, and she had seen him
| listening. She also cautioned me against
going to Whitehall Gardens, and against
wearing the Pearl. 1t was after receiving
| that letter that / went out ana placed poor
Sakra Muri's gift in the care of my bank
ers
Mr.. Foljalnbe sat mute with amzement.
Before he could collect his thoughts to
say anything, Cecil spoke again, but in a
less certain tone.
81 had fragment of that letter about
me when was brought here" he said, in
falterng, low voice ; "but the nurse
says it is not among my things now. l do
not like to set her to make inquiries but
if you would be 80 good as to ask for the
surgeon who dressed my wounds, and find
out if he saw anything of it, you would
be doing very friendly act.
Mr.. Foljambe could not help seeing
how very eager the poor white face look
ed. But he attributed it to natural ankle
ty about the mischief letter of that sort
might do, and it was in voice of the
gentlest remonstrance that he said. "My
dear fellow, why did you not destroy it ?"
The invalid's pallid cheeks flushed.
81 ought to have done So" he said
humbly. Il did tear up the greater part
of it but"
He could get no further, aud the old
eyes looking at him with their sixty years
experience detected new meaning in the
hiatus.
The critic thought of certain grave in
Kensal Green. andof his feelings for him
who had gone down into deaths silence,
and he sighed.
cit was a pity" he said softly. "But
| will do what you ask.
The surgeon who had been on duty the
night OF the assault was away, and Mr..
Foliambe was referred to the hospital
superintendent.
After Cecils disclosure his friend was
afraid TO agitate him by the mention of
his meeting with the Count but he re-
solved to make himself acquainted with
the object of the attaches visit before
quitting the hospital and, as the superin-
tendent proved laxative old gentleman,
he told him such particulars as served to
elicit the facts he wanted.
Heheard for the first time why messen-
ger was sent to Whitehall Gardens, and
how the Count, arriving lateri the morn
ing, had obtained the whole history of the
affair. and ended by carrying away with
him the piece of his wife's handwriting,
which had furnished the only clue to the
wounded mans identity
"You see, we could not refuse to let
him have it, under the circumstances,
said the superintendent, whose sympa-
thies naturally leaned towards the side of
the husband "But 1 hope it will not be
the cause of mischief.
81 hope not, said the musical critic,
laconically.
There was no telling the nervous in
valid such disaster as this
Mr.. Foljambe went back to the sick
room, and said simply that the paper was
gone.
But the weary, woe-begone look which
came over Cecil's face as he heard the It'd
ings, haunted him all the day long.
TIE be contInuedl