Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-27

examination of Eric's bedroom without at
tracing the attention of the servants.
1t was, as Doggett subsequently described
| it. a case of "touch and CO." He had only
| good cause for suspicion to go upon. Ii
through any action of his, Eric became sus-
pected by the household, and the suspicion
should turn out erroneous, the result would
be seriously to compromise Mr.. Webber,
who had introduced prying servant into
the house, and one so lost to all sense OF
duty that he had even dared to insinuate
| anything against so honorable and upright
young man as Mr.. Vernon, who occupied
an assured position.
1t was not easy to obtain an entrance into
Eric's room unperceived. Doggett, who
overheard Eric one day confessing to Mr..
Weber that he was heavy sleeper, deter
mined at last to effect an entrance by night.
He waited until the great clock that stood
in the hall struck out the hour--two hours
after midnight He found Eric's room Sc
curely fastened. The next night he OBJ
tanned ladder and renewed the attempt
from the outside, but discovered to his NOR
tifcation that the ladder was too short for
his purpose. There was another ladder kept
near the stables, but this was too heavy
for him to carry single handed, and,
though at his wits end, he hesitated to take
a second person, even the trusty Bennett,
into his confidence.
At last fortune favored him. The coveted
entrance was obtained after third attempt,
but only for the detective to find that fresh
difficulties awaited him. The keys that he
had brought with him would not fit the
locks he wished to try. He was compelled
to delay until he could procure complete
@1E HIx~AAI
this arrived he had again to watch his op-
portunlty to renew his attempt. But a
fresh disappointment awaited him, when
after opening Eric's portmanteaus and the
wardrobe and drawers in his room, he found
no trace of the document that he was search
ing for.
Then he decided to wait until something
should occur to call for Mr.. Vernon's de-
parture from Eversleigh. He communicated
with Joe Watson, the companion in his
exploit, who had accompanied him on many
hair-breadth's adventure before, and find
ing Joe at liberty laid his plans accord
ingly.
Eric took fright, as Doggett expected he
would do, when Mr.. Webber announced his
intention to call in the aid of detectives and
made arrangements, as we have seen, to de-
part on the following day.
on the last evening of his stay, and with his
eye and ear alternately at the key hole
learned enough to convince him that Eric
had taken the will, and for some hidden rea-
son had neglected to destroy IL. Thereupon,
he decided to invoke Benefits assistance;
and the plan was hit upon, that by whatever
train Eric elected to travel, Jenkins should
contr1ve by some mishap on the road to
cause him to miss the train, and drive Eric,
in his hurry, to be gone, to avail himself of
the express. The plan was exposed to sew
eral risks, but Doggett knew that he would
not be entirely at the end of his resources if
it came to grief. As we have seen, the fog
came in to assist them, and Jenkins carried
out his part in the game successfully.
Nothing could exceed Eric's dismay when
he recognised the detective and saw the
stolen will dragged from his portmanteau
in which he imagined it to be securely hid
den. He knew that his theft laid him open
to criminal prosecution, and on his fears
the detective played with great art, and
brought matters to conclusion.
He explained that he was employed by
Mr.. Webber, who, as the executor under
the will, would take what proceedings he
thought proper without troubling Miss
Eversleigh in the matter, and that he
(Eric) had nothing to hope for. Eric
turned pale at this statement, declaring
himself ready to promise anything if the
matter could be hushed up. Whereupon
Doggett, drawing the long bow considers
bly,, avowed that his instructions were of
the most precise character. They were to
hand over Eric to the police Immediately
on the arrival Of the train in London. But
mercy might be shown to him on one condi-
tion-that Eric should write a confession of
his guilt in terms approved of by the de-
tective. If he complied with the terms
there would be no proceedings, and the
affair would be allowed to be forgotten.
Eric agreed to the terms proposed, but re-
fused to the last to humor the detective by
disclosing the hiding-place of the will at
Eversleigh.
The next day Doggett returned to Ever
sleigh, carrying with him the will whose
disappearance had created so much per-
ple1ity, and Eric's confession in the follow
ing terms:
'I Eric Vernon, lately of Eversleigh
Hall, do hereby admit and say that the will
of my uncle, the late Squire of Eversleigh,
was stolen by me. My motive in so doing
was the belief that when my cousin Ralph
realized that he was without means of any
kind, he would withdraw from his pursuit
of Miss Eversleigh. I swear that this was
my only motive, though 1 did not mean to
restore the will except in a certain event
that has not happened, and further than
this decline to say"
The confession was duly signed and wit
messed, and produced great shock on Miss
Eversleigh's mind when she received it
from Mr.. Webber's hands shortly after the
detectives return.
"What can he mean," asked Miss Ever
sleigh, "by saying that he did not mean to
restore the will except in certain event
that has not happened?"
"Do you really wish for my opinion?"
asked Mr.. Webber.
''I do very much" Miss Eversleigh an
swered.
81 think he meant to use the will as a
means of terrorising you. If you had de-
clined his attentions, he would have threat
ened you with the loss of your estates, per-
haps even shown you the will to prove that
mis- threats were not idle. In any case, by
restoring the will he would have taken what
he considered his revenge upon you for
preferring some other suitor."
"Poor cousin Eric, now deeply he has
sinned," was all that Gwendoline could find
to say; and after that the name of Eric Yer
non was never mentioned at Eversleigh
again.
The recovery of the will deepened Miss
Eversleigh's anxiety to discover the where
abouts of her cousin Ralph. Neither she
nor Mr.. Webber, who shared her anxieties,
had neglected hitherto to take steps to de-
termine Ralph's movements on the morning
Of his interview with Gwendoline, but now
that Doggett was at liberty the matter was
confded to him. -
IT feel sure you will find him." said Miss
Eversleigh, sand when you do, please tele-
graph to me and I will come at once. 1t
will be best that he should hear what has