Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-11-10
Fenton," he replied; @but there Is some
hone of snccass. for I am quite certain that,

| Fenton," he replied; "bue tnere Is some
hope Of success; for am quite certain that,
as yet, we do not know the truth"
We had towalk from Little Lorton station
to the hall. My interview with Daisy had
taken place in the early morning, and 1t
was barely two o'clock in the afternoon
when I found myself once more standing on
the broad terrace in front Of the quaint old
house.
The first person saw was the evil-omened
Flinter. He came forward with an lnsoent
air and demanded my business
my business, sir, might very we'll be to
give you into custody for the outrage which
you committed upon me. As it is, am here
In the exercise Of my rights, and have moth
ing to say to you" -.
SYou won't get into the hall, at all events" !"
he said, doggedly.
sNone Of that nonsense" intsrposed the
chief constable, aor shall have to take you
into my hands, my man. Mr.. Fenton, i'm
agine, is the only person who has any rights
here, If it comes to that. "
At that moment saw DR.. Branksome
sauntering along the terrace from the direc-
tion OF the garden. He looked genuinely
surprised when he saw who it was with
whom Ninter was having this alteration.
He came forward with quickened step, and
his usual air Of bland gravity.
sMr. Fentonl Mr.. Eastmead! This is an
unexpected pleasure"
sPossibly," said, all the suspicious Of the
man which during the last few hours had
risen In my mind betraying themselves in
my face and voice. II am here, however,
DR.. Branksome, as the representative OF
Miss Stancliffe, and, as you will see. am
accompanied by Mr.. Eastmead, as the rep
resentative Of the law"
II think, sir, you forget yourself" ," replied
Braaksome. ~ have no wish to cast any
doubts upon the sincerity Of your interest in
the unfortunate lady whose guardian am,
but have the honor to be the only person
who can claim to be her legal representa-
tive"
NY hot blood mounted to my cheeks, and
was about to answer him angrily, when
Eastmead again interposed.
"This gentleman, DR.. Branksome, acts un-
der a power Of attorney from Miss stancliffe.
You will hardly dispute his right to repre-
sent her when you know that"
"A power Of attorney Monstrous Inn
possiblel She would never have signed such
document without consulting me-"
sDr. Branksome," said, I'VE will not
handy words, if you please. I hold this
power Of attorney. and thank God that l
do SO; and now am going into this house to
look for, and believe to find, the proofs Of
the innocence Of the girl whom you pro-
fessed to shield and left to die"
my dear fellow" retorted Branksome,
with just the suspicioA of sneer in his
tones, why will you be always so melodra-
mattel If you had told me at first what
your object was, you would not have needed
any power of attorney to get admittance to
this home. By all means enter and vel
come"
He threw open the door In front Of which
we had been standing, and, bowling politely,
waited till we had preceded him.
In the hall turned and said, u have come
here, DR.. Branksome, to make general
search through the house; and although, as
Miss Stanclitfe's legally appointed represen-
tative, can take any course please. have
no objection to your accompanying me in
that search"
my good sir, he retorted, II think you
must really excuse me. You have not come
here in very friendly fashion this after
noon, and you can hardly be surprised II.
under the circumstances, conceive that it
may be more satisfactory to yourself, as it
certainly will be to me, that you should 20
about your work in your own way. At the
same time, whenever you wish TO" luncheon
you will find it on the table, and shall be
happy to Join you. Of course, as Mss Stan
cliffeis representative, you need have no feel
ing Of delicacy about making your wishes in
that matter known"
His perfect coolness and comr sure had
their fleet upon me, and that lightning
fash in which had seen him for an instant
as villain of colossal iniquity, faded more
end more completely from my memory.
But lost no time in beginning my search.
Mary Taylor, Daisy's maid, was summoned
and came quickly, as did Mrs. Cawthorne,
who had returned broken-hearted to the
hall at the close of the trial. I soon ex-
planned to the girl that what we wanted to
see was the door leading to the private
staircase. She looked somewhat confused
when told her this; probably she recollected
the last occasion on which she had herself
made use af that door,
We found that the door was in one of the
paneled recesses of the drawing room corr-
dor. Ithai no handle, and any one might
have passed. it hundred times without per-
ceiving its existence Taylor pressed the
door in the middle, and it slowly opened, re-
vealing..a staircase, narrow, dirty and dusty,
beyond
"Mr Eastmead," I said, you represent
the law, and leave it to you to make the
first attempt to verify the statement which
Miss Stancliffe has made to me-"
"Bring light here" said the officer; and
one Of the many servants. who were watch.
ing us in wonder, darted into the adjoining
room, and quickly reappeared with lighted
wax candle. Taking this in his hand, East
mead passed through the door. could see
him moving the candle to and fro, and then
he uttered a slight exclamation and closed
the door upon us Immediately afterward
he opened it and came out into the corridor,
begrimed with dust and cobwebs, but W. ar
ing an air Of triumph on his face.
u have found this on the narrow ledge or
shelf above the door inside" he said.
He held out to me, as he spoke, a small
parcel wrapped in paper that had once been
VIII te. Iseizei it with feverish eagerness.
Pasted rpon it was label, bearing in writ
ing the address: "Miss Stancliffe, Great Lor-
ton Hail." and in print the word "Poison" in
large letters, and the name and address Of
Smirke, the Little Lorton chemist. The
parcel was sealed. and we saw that the seal
bore Smirke's name.