Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-11-06


/ The lawyer glanced involuntarilv
at Lady Bannister as she uttered these
words. She was a handsome woman.
still under 80, with dark eyes and q
resolute chin. She met his gaze al
most defantly, and he noticed that her
lips were firmly cleRched. The look
upon her face, in connection with her
words, made him feel vaguely uneasy.
and recalled to his mind that the i'm
mediate object Of his visit was to seek
the means Of putting Sir Hector on
his guard against being surprised by
| his wife.
care you going a Journeys" he
hazarded, taking up his hat and point
ing with his stick to bundle of
travelling wraps which reposed upon a
chair.
Eyes, Mr.. Parchment. I am going
a journey, answered Lady Bannister,
still speaking in the hard defiant tone
which appeared so significant to the
lawyer.
Mr.. Parchment confessed to him
self that he was no match for Lady
Bannister at the best of times, and to-
day she seemed more than usually
unapproachable He therefore rather
hastily took his departure, without
venturing even to allude to the letter
or to Sir Hector's address, but he was
nevertheless more than ever impressed
with the necessity of communicating
with the baronet.
cts my belief she would murder
him as soon as look at him" he
thought to himself. as he took his seat
in the cab again. after telling the
man to drive to Sir Hector's club. eff
anything happened [ should never
forgive myself. She is just the sort
of woman to blow mans brains
out, I positively must find out that
address somehow"
He was unable, however. to obtain
the information at either of the clubs
Sir Hector belonged to and being at
his wits end to know what to do, he
finally resolved, in desperation. to
consult an exdeteetive and private
inquiry agent named Gimblett. Of
whose energy and tact he had the
highest opinion.
The astute individual rather scofftdi
at Mr.. Parchment's fears, but under
took to watch Lady Bannister's move
ments for the next few days, aud re-
port to the lawyer III case of anything
suspicious occurring. Meanwhile Mr..
Parchment hoped he would succeed
in discovering the missing address,
SO as to avert any awkward cOnse-
euences resulting from his remiss-
ness.
Greatly relieved by the precautions,
Mr.. Parchment returned to his Office
and resumed his days work with
tolerable equanimity. He felt com
paratively free from apprehension
now that Mr. Gimblett had the matter
in hand, and, indeed, he was some.
what inclined to smile at his former
uneasiness. But almost before he
had time to dismiss the incident from
his mind, Mr.. Gimblett called and
sent in word that his business was ur-
gent
''Well2" inquired Mr.. Parchment,
with reviving anxiety, as the detective
entered in obedience to his summons.
81 was only just in time, SIR" said
Mr.. Gimblett, glancing at his natty
figure in the glass, and running his
fingers through his neat brushed grey
hair. ''When I arrived at the hotel,
the cab was driving off,"
"You followed, I supposed" said the
lawyer.
eyes, sir, ! followed, of course. The
lady took a ticket for Southampton,
said Mr. Gimblett.
Southampton" repeated Mr..
Parchment. casting his mind back to
the baronet's letter. CT don't re-
member, but I think if Sir Hector
had written from there, the address is
SO familiar | should have remembered
it,
81 thought you would probably
recollect whether il was Southampton
or not, sir, until [ knew; it hardly
seemed worth while making q jour
ney there" said Mr.. Gimblett, quiet
ly.
ooh! I can't be certain. It migAt
have been near there, at all events, if
Lady Bannister should surprise her
husband -"
''She won't, SIR" said Mr. Gimblett,
interrupting the lawyer, who mani
tested uneasiness; II took care of that.
I tipped guard, who is a pal of mine,
and he put the lady into a wrong
train. She went on the Exeter express
and can't anyway reach Southampton
to night, even if she discovers her
mistake and changes at the first stop
ping place"
Mr.. Parchment did not know wheth-
er to smile or to frown at Mr. Gin
blett'ssummary expedient for gaining
time for reflection. He was inclined
to feel remorseful for the trick that
been played on Lady Bannister, but
the detective was evidently harden
ed sinner. for he related the incident
as coolly as though it had been a per-
fectly natural occurrence.
TIM at your disposal, SIR" he add
ed, as Mr.. Parchment remained silent.
IF you have any doubt, [ will 90
down to Southampton, and should SIR
Hector be in the neighborhood he
shall be warned"
"Well, I really don't know what to