Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-11

did the unhappy man send for me?"
mo, sir; it was my own idea. You see,
there's that reward you offered" He
paused.
sit shall be paid" said, although the
criminal gave himself up of his own free
will instead of being apprehended"
Spoken like a gentleman-begging your
pardon, sir"
''When 1 saw you this morning with Mr..
Mortlock," said-and then l also paused
in the middle of a speech; the question 1
was about to ask was injudicious.
''WeI, sir" said the detective, taking ND
the cue, 81 don't mind admitting that I
was then on another tack"
"Prompted by Mr. Mortlock?'
SIN manner of speaking. sir. He first
put the idea into my head. You would
never guess 1t, and mustn't say what 1t
was"
But had guessed it. Mr.. Mortlock,
hating me and mine, would have incrim-
mated me; it was he whose malignant
whisperings had caused me to be received
as | had been on that morning. But the
danger was now removed. In the light
OF Samuel Fleetwood's admission, he was
powerless to work out his wicked spite
against me.
'How was Fleetwood" asked, "when
you left the station? Better?'
Worse, sir. Sinking fast. Very little
time to live, the doctor said. A clergy
man was called in, and was with him when
/ left"
"And you thought might like to see
him?'
Il thought as much, sir, though l don't
know whether the inspector will allow
it.''
81 am obliged to you. should wish to
see the unhappy man; he might confess to
me the motive for his crime"
Its my opinion, sir he's confessing to
the clergyman. Thank you, SIR" 1 had
slipped a couple of soYereigns into his
hand. There's something that ought to
be got at, if the man is really dying"
What is that?"
1.-The money, sir-the five Thousand
pounds that was taken out of the box. He
was asked about it, and all the answer he
gave was strange smile. He could hard
ly have spent it in the time"
Was there none found on him?'
There wasn't brass farthing found
on him; and what is more, his clothes
were in rags, and the doctor said that he
must have been without food for more
than two days.
"It is indeed stranger I remarked. 'T
will go with you to the station"
l saw my wife before | left the house.
"You look better, Richard" she said
81 am BETTER" l replied. Terrible as
the incident is, it has removed a weight
from my heart. When the last scene of
f,,1
another home. Much as l love this place,
it has now become hateful to me-"
This, | knew was in accordance with
the wishes of my wife, who never passed
the room liz which my uncle was muir
dered without shudder. l told her what
/ had learnt from the detective of the con-
dition of Samuel Fleetwood and she whis-
pered that it would be merciful if he were
to die before his trial, and that she hoped
and prayed he would die repentant.
II cannot trust myself to think of him."
she said. 81 had a sincere affection for
him, and never believed that he could be
guilty of the least act of cruelty Some
times, Richard, I cannot help thinking
that there is some dreadful mystery be-
hind all this. If there is, Heaven will
surely bring it to lightP'
"There can be no mystery behind it," I
said, fretfully and impatiently. Elect
woods confession makes it as clear as the
daylight sun. Do not veX me by indulg-
ing any longer in such baseless specula-
tions."
1 did not share her hope that Fleetwood
would die in prison. 1t was my wish that
he should be brought to trial and found
guilty; after that should be content that
he should die before the just sentence of
the law was carried out. But at the pris-
on my memorable wish melted into thin
air; it was destroyed by higher than q
human judge-Samuel Fleetwood was
deadl
He died quite peacefully, SIR" said the
inspector, with a smile upon his lips. He
must have been in a queer state of mind
after what he did, to say almost with his
last breath, Il go to join my beloved wife!'
did he make no further confession?"
1 asked, COMPOUNDED by the news.
Il believe he did, SIR" replied the in
spector; 1.-The clergyman will produce it at
the inquest, which must, of course, be
held on him. When he left the prison |
understood he was going to your house"
1--WE did not meet him." said, looking
helplessly around; I'VE came straight
here"
Its no use worrying, sir,' said the in
spector with Fleetwood's confession
and death there is an end of the affair"
Nodding, l retraced my steps, and on the
lawn in front of my house I was accosted
by Mdlle. Rosalie.
"A clergyman has been here to see you,
sir,' she said, and left this packet for
YOU"
1 took it from her hands, and would
have passed on, but there was something
in her face which awoke within me in
fullest force the feelings of disapproval I
had long entertained towards her.
"Mdlle. Rosalie," said, 81 am about to
exercise an authority that properly belongs
to my wife,
Indeed, STRIP she said, raising her eyes
to my face with sly meekness.
Irritated by the look, and bringing to
mind the number of compromising cir
cumstances in connection with her which
had annoyed me in the past, 1 said
lit will be agreeable to me, mademo%
selle, if you will regard your service in my
establishment at an end"
do you discharge me, sir?" she asked,
with placid smile.
If it was her purpose to anger me, she
succeeded. 81 discharge you." l said,
with a wrathful look.
mot suddenly and Immediately. sirs"
''Yes, suddenly and immediately"
But it is almost dark, sir, and to be
thrust from your house so abruptly would
ruin my reputation.
''You will leave my house tomorrow"
said. after tomorrow you shall not
sleep in it another night"
''Do you forget, sir, that I am to be one
of your daughters bridesmaids"
81 forget nothing that has occurred. 1t