Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-03-25
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CH APTER XII

The conference between Lady Lydard and
Mr.. Troy, on the way back to London, led to
some practical results.
| Hearing from her legal adviser that the
| inquiry after the missing money was for the
moment at standstill, Lady Lydiard made
one of those bold suggestions with which she
was accustomed to startle her friends in cases
of emergency. She had heard favorable re-
ports of the extraordinary ingenuity of tbs
French police, and she now proposed sending
to Paris for assistance, after first consulting
her nephew, Mr. Felix Sweetsir "Felix
knows Paris as well as he knows London she
remarked ''He is an idle man, and it is quite
likely that he will relieve us of all trouble by
taking the matter into his own hands. In
any case he is sure to know who are the
right people to address in our present neces-
sity. What do you say!"
Mr.. Troy, in reply, expressed his doubts as
to the wisdom Of employing foreigners in a
delicate investigation which required an ac-
curate knowledge of English customs and
English character. Waving this objection,
he approved Of the idea of consulting her
ladyship's nephew. "Mr. Sweetsir is a man
of the world, he said ''In putting the case
before him, we are sure to have it presented
to us from a new point of view" Acting on
this favorable expression of opinion, Lady
Lydiard wrote to her nephew. On the day
after the visit to Miss Pink the proposed
council of three was held at Lady Lydiard's
house.
Felix, never punctual in keeping an ap-
pointment, was even later than usual ON this
occasion. He made his apologies with his
hand pressed on his forehead, and his voice
expressive of the languor and discourage
ment Of a suffering man.
"The beastly English climate is telling on
my nerves." said Mr.. Sweetsir; 'the horrid
weight of the atmosphere, after the exhilar-
ating air of Paris; the intolerable dirt and
iullness of London, you know. l was in bed,
my dear aunt, when received your letter.
You may imagine the completely demoralized
state l was in, when tell you of the effect
which the news of the robbery produced on
me. fell back on my pillow as If had been
,hot. Your ladyship should really be Rtt;s
more careful in communicating these dis
agreeable surprises to sensitively organized
man. never mind; my valet is perfect
treasure; ne brought me some drops of ether
on lump of sugar. said, Alfred his
name is Alfred, put me into my clothes
Alfred put me in. assure you it reminded
me of my young days, when was put into
my first pair OF trousers. has Alfred 1OT-
gotten anythings Have got my braces ont
Have come out in my shirt sleevess Well,
dear aunt! well, Mr.. Troy! what can l sayl
what can I do?'
Lady Lydiard, entirely without sympathy
for nervous suffering, nodded to the lawyer.
''You tell him." she said
II believe speak for her ladyship," Mr..
Troy began, "when say that we should like
to hear, in the first place, how the whole case
strikes you Mr.. Sweetsir.n
''Tell it me all over again" said Felix.
Patient Mr. Troy told it all over again, ana
waited for the result
sWell" said Felix.
s'Well.' said Mr.. Troy. "Where does the
suspicion of robbery rest, in your opinion!
| You look at the theft of the bank note with
fresh eye"
"You mentioned = clergyman just now,"
said Felix 1.-The man, you know, to whom
the money was sent. What was his name!"
| .sThe Reverend Samuel Bradstock."
"You want me to name the person whom
I suspectF
.sYes if you please" said Mrs. Troy.
Il suspect the Reverend Samuel Brad
Stock said Felix.
s.If you have come here to make stupid
jokes interposed Lady Lydiard, '.you had