Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-03
band is villain he said, T will not read

-
tune?' [ suggested.
"'Give me the document he said.
Before l gave it to hint was in my
pocket showed him a newspaper con-
tanning certain announcement
Lord Harry dead? he cried. 'lmpossi-
BILE! Then Iris is free.
s'Perhaps you will first read the docu-
ment'
Il drew it out of nv pocket, gave it to
him. and reti- ID. He should be alone
VIII lie he read it
H ait an hour afterwards l returned. L
fou I'd him in a state OF most violent agl-
tatiDn, without, however, any OF the
wea- IS which he betrayed on previous
occasions.
"sMrs. Vimpanv.' he cried, this is terri
BILE! There is no doubt-not the least
doupt-in my mind that the man OXDye
is the man buried under the name OF
Lord Harry, and that he was murdered-
murdered in cold bloody that worst OF
villains
"'My husband said.
"'Iour husDaud-moSE unfortunate OF
wives! AS for Lord Harry's share in the
murler. it is equally plain that he knew
of it, even if he did not consent to it. Good
heavens! Do you understand Do you
realize what they have done? Your hus-
band and Iris husband may be tried
actually tried-for murder. and put to a
shameful death. Think of itr
~ do think of it, Heaven knows!
think of it every day. think of it all day
long. But, remember, l will say nothing
that will bring this fate upon them. And
Fanny will say nothing. Without Fanny's
evidence there cannot be even suspicion
of the truth
"'What does Iris know about it?'
1 think that she cannot know any
thing Of the murder. Consider the dates.
On Wednesday Fanny was dismissed: on
Thursday she returned secretly and wit
messed the murder. 1t was on Thursday
morning that Iris drove to Victoria on her
return to Passy, AS we all supposed. aud
AS / still suppose. On Saturday Fanny
was back again. The cottage was desert
ed. She was told that the man Oxbye had
got up and walked away; that her mistress
had not been at the house at all, but was
travelling in Switzerland, and that Lord
Harry was gone OF a long journey. And
she was sent into switzerland to get her
out of the way. I ga her from all this
that Lady Harry was taken away by her
husband directly after she arrived-most
likely by highland that of the murder
she knew nothing
'No-no-she could know nothi
That, at least they dare not tell her. B
about the rest? How much does she
know? How far has she lent herself to
the conspiracy? Mrs. Vimpany, shall go
back to London tonight. We will travel
by the night train. l feel quite strong
enough
Il began this letter in Scotland; finish
it in London.
eve are back again in town. Come to
she hotel at once, and see u.s."
So, there was now a man to advise. For
once, Fanny was thankful for the creation
of man. To the most misanthrouc female
there sometimes comes time Wnen Sne
must own that man has his uses These
two women had now got "a man with whom
to take counsel.
"I do not ask you" said Mr. Mountjoy,
with grave face, chow far this statement
of yours is true I can see plainly that it is
true in every particular"
'It is quite true, sir; every word of it is
true. I have been tempted to make out a
worse case against the doctor, bu5 I have
kept myself to the bare TRUTH"
''You could not make out worse case
against any man. 1t is the blacklist case
the foulest murder. [ do not under
stand the exact presence of Lord Harry
when the medicine was given. Did he see
the doctor administer it? Did he say any
thing?"
He turned white when the doctor told
him that the man was going to die-that
day, perhaps, or next day. When the doc
tor was pouring out the medicine he turn
ed pale again and trembled. While the
doctor was taking the photograph he
trenbled again. [ think, sr-I really
think-that he knew all along that the
to the moment he was afraid. If it had
depended upon him, Oxbye would be alive
still"
He was consenting party. Well: for
the moment both of you keep perfect sill
ence. Don't discuss the thing with each
other lest you should be overheard: bury
the thing. | am going to make some in
quiries."
The first thing was to find out what
steps had been taken, if any, with in
JriS oil
inquiry had to be conducted quite open
ly. His object must seem none other
than the discovery of Lady Harry Nor
lands present address. When bankers,
insurance companies and solicitors alto
gether have to conduct piece Of business
it is not difficult to ascertain such a sim
pie matter.
He found out the name of the family
solicitor He went to the office, sent in
his card, and stated his object. AS very
old friend Of Lady HarryS, he wanted to
learn her address. He had just come up
| from Scotland, where he had been i'll, and
had only just learned her terrible bereave-
ment.
The lawyer made no difficulty at ALL
There WAS no reason why he should. Lady
| Harry had been in London: she was kept
in town for nearly two months by business
connected with the unfortunate event; but
she had now gOne-She was travelling in
Switzerland or elsewhere. AS for her ad
dress, Il letter addressed to his care should
be forwarded on hearing from her lad
ship.
Her business, take it, was the proving
of the will aud the arrangement of the
property
That was the business which kept bar
in town;
Lady Harry" Mr. Mountjoy went on
'hau II little property of her own apart
from what she may ultimately get from
her father. About five thousand pounds
no more"
Indeed? She did not ask my assistauc CO
in respect Of her own property"
Il suppose it is invested and in the hands
of trustees But, indeed, do not know.
Lord Harry himself, | have heard, was
generally in penniless condition. Were
tnere any lnsulanceS?"
Yes; happily there was insurance paid
for him by the family. Otherwise there
would have been nothing for the widow"
And this has been paid mp, suppose7"
eyes: it has been paid into her private
account"
''Thank you," said Mr. Mountjoy ''With
your permission, will address a letter to
Lady Harry here. Will you kindly order
it to be forwarded at the very earliest OPP
portunity?"
Iris he said, "will not come to Lon
don any more. She has been persuaded
by her husband to JOIN in the plot. Good
heavens! She has become q Swindler-a
conspirator-a fraudulent woman! Irisl-
it is incredible-iti is horrible! What shall
we do?''
He first wrote a letter, to the care of the
lawyers. He informed her that he had
made discovery of the highest import
ance to herself-he refrained from any
thing that might give rise to suspicion: he
implored her to give him an interview
anywhere, in any part of the world