The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-08-10


cumstances she left them; whether
they discovered that she Joined Mr.. Corbyn
IN Londol or elsewhere; in fact, learn from
them or from any surviving relatives
whether there is any clew as to the locality
In which the marriage took place. That
once established, we can proceed to address
| circulars to the clerks OF every church in
that locality, offering reward for the dis
covery Of the register of the marriage. II
| that method fails we shall understand that
| the clew was a false one and we had better
follow 1t up in some fresh direction. How
does that meet your views, Miss Corbynm
| Perfectly, sir that seems to be the very
| thing. feel sure that We shall succeed
That seems quite straightforward and easy
does 1t not Annettep
II think 80, my dear. / was ready to STAY
away here with you as long as you like but
/ was sure that you could never do as YOU
talked of and search the books of all the
churches In England, it would take many a
life time, but this seems to give fair
chance of finding out this register that we
| do so want"
And where is Corbyn Court, Mr.. Harbut
| for l suppose II will be somewhere near
there that we must search for my mothers
family to begin with"
"Corbyn Court lies three or four miles out
of Bath, and Bath is about three hours by
rail from London. But you must not be too
/
Corbyn may have met your mother at Ok
ford-l learn from Ferris that he was at
| that university-or he may have met her
abroad, or when upon "a visit to London, or
in railway train or elsewhere. II no clue
Is to be found to the existence of such a
family within, say, fifteen miles of Bath,
we must insert some advertisement
| in the papers saying that the
next of kin of Constance Purcell,
who left her home toward the end Of tho
year of 1S49, are requested to reply to me,
and they will hear of something to their
advantage. We must put that last bit in,
| you know, because otherwise they might
think that perhaps a whole family of Con
stance Puroells was likely TO be thrown
on their hands"
Then we can start for Bath at once and
begin, Mr., Herbut"
| "Well, will think that over. Would
you mind calling again tomorrow; it is a
matter that should like to consider well
before step is taken, and to sketch out
some sort Of plan of campaign" and so
with renewed expressions of gratitude,
Constance and her friend took their leave
of Mr. Robert Harbut.
well, madame what do you think3 We
are in luck, are we notW
"He Is very young" Annette said gravely.
''He can't be as young as he looks. Mr..
| Ferris spoke of him as his friend, and | sup
pose that he must be about the same age
though he really looks almost a boy. But
he must be very clever. You saw how he
had thought it all out, and how he was able
to put US In the right way Of going to work
at once, Instead of perhaps wasting years
and years searching here, and no. good,
perhaps, after all. But didn't he look funny
when we went ine l never saw such a
thing as he had on his head OF course
have seen wigs, lots of them in st. Malo,
| b,r% hot ~ -
stuck up, and those funny curls and the
little tails and the black patch at the top
and Constance burst into merry laugh
that startled the spsrrOws hopping about in
the court and caused two OF three hurry
ing men to look round in surprise
''Oh, here Is another" she exclaimed a
minute later, lust the same sort of wig
and with black gown on. What does it
meanp
THAT ia the regular dress of barristers in
COURT Annette said. II know, because |
once went as a witness. One of the footmen
stole some silver and he was caught and
they tried him, and had TO go as a witness,
and there were lots of men in court just
like that, and two Of them asked me ques-
tons and one was very rude and wanted to
try and make out that had been lying. 1t
was shameful, and almost cried before the
people. But shall we go home, ConstanceW
mo, / should like to walk about this
funny old place for bit; let US go through
this archway. oh, what great square ard
no " green the grass is in it, and there is the
river. Who would expect to find such
place as this in the middle Of this smoky
town.
81 dare say that 1t is very nice In summer
child, but l think it is cold and damp and
triSte at present.
Nothing seems triste to me, Annette. |
feel so full of hope and confidence now we
have got Mr.. Harbut to help us, and he
seems so kind and good natured-though ne
is funny and boyish and unlike what |
thought lawyer would be-that don't
think anything could look triste at present;
but never mind, we will go home and sit by
the fire and talk It all over"
The next morning they again called at
Pump Court; this time Robert Harbut was
without his wig. and two chairs were
cleared ready for them to sit upon.
81 have been thinking matters over, Miss
Corbyn," he began, as soon as they were
seated, land think shall run down with
you for few days. l want a holiday, and
this is good excuse to take one."
ooh, but we could not think Of troubling
you in that sort of way, Mr.. Harbut, it
would be too much altogether"
but you see, l do not consider it any
trouble, quite the contrary. regard 1t as
most interesting outing, and, besides, |
|
likely to set about things in the right way.
You see l have taken up this matter as a
| sort of professional exercise, and because |
have the detective spirit strong in me-"
"But | can assure you that we shall get
on very WELL" Constance persisted.
"Yes, no doubt; but just give me an idea
| as to how you mean to set to work. We
| will suppose you are established in lodgings
or some quiet hotel in Bath. What would
be your first moveN
''Our first move would, of course, be to
Search" Constance said, stoutly.
eyes, quite understand that. but how
will you begin your searchl You cannot
sally out and asked the first person you
meet is your name PurcellP Mo- Well,
do you know any one by that name living
within fifteen milesp When you have
asked about fifty people these questions,
you might not improbably find yourself
locked up under suspicion Of being a wan
dering lunatic at large, and, anyhow,
you would not be much nearer than you
were when you started"
Constance joined in the laugh with which
Robert Harbut concluded, but there was a
| certAin ring of vexation in it.
"You must think me very foolish, Mr.,
Harbut n
"Not at all, Miss Corbyn; upon the con-
| trary, think you are a very sensi bic young
lady, but still unaccustomed to our ways;
! If have been mistaken tell me how Won