Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-30

"I would give thousand pounds to the
man who would spill her blood"
"Hush! hushr' answered Gideon, looking
round him cautiously. SIT is not well to
say such things. One never knows who
may be listening. A thousand pounds is a
big sum, Master Griffith, and some people
might feel inclined to take you at your
word"
yourself, for instance" said Griffith,
with slight sneer.
81 have always asked for money, have 1
| not, when was fortunate to do you some
slight service?" demanded the man, calmly.
81 deserve the reproof, Gideon" replied
| the Master Of Greystoke, after a short
pause, ''but am so badgered and worried
| that hardly know what say or do. Why,
if the archery meeting does not take place
| in my grounds 1 shall be the laughing stock
of the whole county"
"Let things go on as usual" suggested
| Gideon. 'There is a week before the meet
ing takes place, and a great change may
come in that time"
'If you mean a change in Mrs. Grey
STOKE" returned Griffith, with an ironical
laugh, 'you are far more sanguine than I
am. 1 confess that would rather abide by
my 81, 900 offer"
"We have been in many lands where a
quarter of that sum would have silenced
half dozen troublesome women, or men
| for the matter of that, ''but there is an un-
comfortable institution in England called
the Law, which is apt to express itself rather
forcioly concerning acts which 1t calls by
slaughter, homicide, and MURDER" observed
Gideon, laying strong emphasis upon the
last word
Grifith started from his seat. 81 never
one to give her a bit of fright so that she
might pack up her traps and take herself
Off"
Then it only shows you how right my
warning was, replied Gfdeon:" for 1 GER
tainly thought that you were willing to give
Ell 900 to anyone who would take your wife's
@ but see sou would an e1na
the lady good round sum, and perhaps she
will consent to return to Trinidad, where
she can vent her temper upon her black
servants9"
'She would laugh in my face IL made
such proposal" returned Griffith. mo, I
must take your advice, and see what time
will do for me-"
"But after all, 1t is a munificent OFFER"
laughed Gideon, as he followed his master
through the door of the armory: 'and =!
cheerfuily pay like sum to be freed from
,, the incubus of a WIFE"
Next morning there was considerable ex-
element at Greystoke, for its mistress had
disappeared, and left no signs behind her by
which she could be traced.
1t was apparent that she had not been
spirited away Sy any of the numerous ghosts
which had the Credit of freq quentfng the old
pile, for costly dressing bag with ivory 1T
tings and gold mounts had vanished with
her, as well as casket containing an almost
priceless set of diamonds and emeralds.
Griffith at first was disposed to take the
loss of both wife and jewels in very philo-
sophical manner, but his foster-brother
pointed out to him that he held too import
ant a position in the county for such an
affair to pass without consideraD Die COM
ment, and that he would be expected to take |
some active measures. |
Accordingly thorough inquiry was made |
and complete search set on foot No signs,
however could be found or the missing lady. /
No one had seen her leave Greystoke and |
she had not been noticed at the railway sta \
tion, nor had she procured any conveyance |
at the neighboring town of Dulford, and !
Griffith, knowing the indolent habits engen- |
dered by her West Indian life, was con- |
WINGED that she had not fed away on foot
The reports, however of the dissensions |
between husband and wife had spread far /
and wide over the country, and strange |
whispers began to circulate, which culmi- |
mated in a visit by detective from London,
who came down to make inquiries.
This official made himself generally obnox-
ious, and compelled each individual member
of the establishment to believe that he was
the suspected person, insomuch that after
his departure nearly the whole establish
ment OF Greystoke came before the master |
and announced their determination of leav-
ing forthwith.
forth in Griffith, and confronting the NAL |
contents, he poured out a torrent of objurga-
tion upon them, cursing them for a set of
towards, who wanted to leave the pumps |
when leak had been discovered in the ship.
"Whom do you suspect?" cried he angrily; |
''are we not all in the same boat?"
For a moment there was dead silence, |
and then one of the footmen spoke out:
"The talk is that you offered big reward to |
get rid of your wife, and that he," pointing |
as he spoke to Gideon Carthwaite, "did the
-tNlr fr,rx- hrrf
cleverly that 1t is impossible to bring the
crime home to either of you"
With the bound of a tiger Griffith sprang
forward, and grasping the man by the collar
7" said he, thrusting his hand into
his bosom. Confess that it is all an inven-
ton, or will blow your brains out"
The man turned CHASTITY pale, and STAN. |
mered out, Everybody says the same, and |
Manuel heard you offer sl 900 to get rid of
the missis."
acct up, you coward exclaimed Griffith.
putting him contemptuously away. "I had
no revolver or flrearm about me, as YOU
might have known had not your fear blinded
you; but as there have beeh suspicious will |
take measures to find ovt the real truth.
Who is on my side among your"
About dozen of the outdoor servants |
yamekeepers, gardeners and grooms stepped
forward.
"That is WE'LL" said the master Of Grey.
stroke. "And now, listen: until this mys-
terry is cleared up not single communica- |
u. l
some one among us is the possessor of the
secret and if we draw a ring around the in
labitants of Greystroke we shall doubtless
ind out who he is. You will say that have
10 right to act as propose doing" he con-
inued, as some Of the servants appeared
disposed to offer a remonstrance. "I dare |
'ay have not but I have the power, and
hat comes to very much the same in the
ong run. After the blockade is raised, you
nay take what steps you please"
From that day Greystoke was like be-
eagured city, or plague-stricken spot |
around which sanitary Gordon had been |
irawn. No one went out from IL, and no one |
was permitted to enter. Oxen and sheep |
we're in plenty, and there was no deficiency
of ale, wine and flour. There was a good |
leal of murmuring, but the outdoor men
Kept good watch and ward at the gates of
5he park by day, and at night Gideon Garth |
waite mustered the unwilling garrison, and
saw that not one was absent Society won
lered little at first, but after q time sll
was set down to the strain of eccentricity
,he matter dropped.
The blockade had now lasted a week.
when one evening the headkeeper sought |
IN audience with the master of Greystoke. |
We'll, Randall" said Griffith, impatiently, |
what is it; has anyone been trying to rrfn |
he blockade, or have you made any dis
,overy?"
The man shifted uneasily from one foot to
he other, and twisted the brim of his hat |
between his fingers. IL
you'll be Laughing at I, Squire" said he
It length, eff 1 tell you what be come
bout"
Never mind what shall do, but let me
rear what you have to say" answered Grif-
.sWell the deer be bewitcbed and tbere,s |