Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-01

That night Mr.. Charles could not help
noticing when he babe Miss Partridge good
night, that her manner was somewhat
strange, and next day, when the house was
turned topsy-turvy, and policemen taking
down evcrybody's evidence, he felt it his
duty TO mention it, adding:
IF I'd thought what dreadful things we're
going to happen though, I'd h~a'~-rdha'--
There, l don't know what I'd ha' done"
Bat no one but Hester Partridge herself
could have had any idea of the dreadful
thing about to happen.
The detective, when he stood among the
trees upon the bank of the stagnant pond,
had pronounced the latter to be the very
place for a suicide. or to hide "A body in; but
Hester Partridge's body did not remain long
hidden.
The page-boy. Edwards, going into the
shrubbery the first thing in the morning TO
gather some 'rabbits'-meat" for n favorite
of his he kept i'm an clubhouse, found a scarf
she had worn lying upon the bank, and go
ing closer to inspect, saw something float
ing upon the surface OF the wafer, partly
covered with green chickwced, which
proved to be the unfortunate girls hat.
Edwards return with these articles led TO
an immediate search. Testers room was
found to be empty, whilst the bed had not
been slept on. Half an hour later the pond
was dragged, and the lifeless body, with its
white rigid face, and with its clothing, soak
ed and sOdden, ~clinging to the 1.-the form,
was gently laid upon the glass, in the centre
of Il shnddcring group of servants, whilst
some one bore the tidings of the tragedy to
the master of the house.
A little after noon Mr.. G~reengraves pre-
scented himself at the garden-gate and asked
to see Mrs. Gee, the houSekeeper. lie found
that good lady, as she herself put ii, very
much upset. She had never, she said, had
anything to do with suicides, and had enter
tanned what she could not help thinking
was a not unreasonable expectation of pass
Ing the remainder Of her days without being
brought INTO contact with Su cl horrible
ness
and now" said she, II suppose l shall
have To stand in the witncss-boX at the Old
Bailey, or some other placer
Mr.. Greengraves was Of opinion that it
would BE- some other place most likely.
"Shc seemed 10 be a nice quiet respectable
giri?" said he interrogatively.
Poor thing! she was replied Mrs. Gee;
''and Heaven forgive ne If it was wicked,
but was very fond of her. She spent most
Of hCr time with me, and in my room"
"Yoa hal known her some time?'
"nto; not more than three weeks. She had
taken none Of her wages as yet"
"llad a good character with her, of
coursc?'
All that could be desired. I was only
just now looking at it,
"Would you allow mcY' said Mr. Gresn-
graves, stretching out his hand to take a
paper which had lain on the top of the
h0uSekceper's work-boX. 40 be sure.
Seems satisfactory. It's rather remai kable
handwriting. The Grosvenor Hotel-pass-
ing through LondOn-can highly recon-
mend-now staying with her aunt. ALI, did
you call on the lady"
well, yes, l did twice, but she happened
to be out. Hester came here though, and l
was so struck with her appearance, and she
gave such n good account of herself, ] did
not think it necessary to make any further
inquiries"
Il would take care Of that, if / were you.
You might be asked for it," said Mr.. Green
graves. And now l will wish you good
morning"
Bless me!' cried Mrs. Gee, ten minutes
later, whatever did the man want to see
me for? lie never spoke about anything that
l can remember"
Mr.. Grecngraves seemingly did not just
now want To Spcal; to anybody, but passing
through the passage, let himself quietly out
of the strcet-door, which he closed after
Kim.
just rs he reached the garden-gatc the
Iostman came m.
Any letters.?' asked Mr.. G~reengrav2s.
"Ooiy one for Mr.. Cuthbert Craven"
I'll take it," said the detective; and then
when the nan had gone, he turned. and
cautiously sianccd Up at the windows of the
house.
No one was anywhere visible, and after Il
moments hesitation he pockcted the epistle
he had thus boldly obtained possession OF,
and walked rapidly away.
But before he turned from the lane into
the lligE-StrcCt, in 4 quiet corner he drew it
forth, and had another good look at it.
Its n risky thing, perhaps said he;
but it's too tempting to resist. II Is wo-
mans handwriting-nOt n lady's. 1t looks
hurried, and the ink Is smcared. | should
not at all wonder if Hester Partridge wrote
it here in Fulham. Confound it! the omni-
bus is too slow for me. / must get a hanson
If can; | want to know what's inside this,
and the only way to find out safely is by the
aid of hot water at the Office. Steam is q
wonderful! invention, when one wants to
open an adhesive envelope"