The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-07
CHAPTER XXVI
HUGH EASTWOOD'S STORY.

act. Holding OUT the sheet OF paper 10
ward Sir Sydney he said in a quick i'm
perative voice.
Il think that both YOU and Lady Cars
land ought to read this at once" Then
turning to the servant who was standing
on the threshold of the room he added ::
''Will you kindly wait for an answer"
The baronet took the note, cast his eyes
over it hurriedly and then handed it to
his wife with a look of wonder on his face
A few moments later her ladyship asked
sharply:
Who is this Hugh EASTWOOD"
A young pitman, who lives-or did
livc-at Marsh Green and who told
me that he worked in one of Sir
Sydney's mines. l was attacked one
night by couple of tramps while max
ing my way through Gale wood, and
might have got robbed and maltreated
had he not CHANGED to be at hand He
appears TO be a most respectable young
fellow. and if he and his friend know any
thing about the Jewels l think we ought
to see them at once. What do you say,
Sir Sydney"
II am willing to hear them" the
baronet returned, If her ladyship mas no
objection"
y do not object-tell Mr. Eastwood and
his friend to come here her ladyship
answered addressing the last part of her
sentence to the maid, who at once de-
parted to return a short time later with
Hugh Eastwood and tho old miner, Dick
Miller
This" said Paul, as he shook hands
with the younger of the two visitors, lis
Hugh Eastwood But is it true, East
wood that You can explain this mystery
surrounding the Jewels which Salome
Birmingham had in her possession"
II can explain a portion of IL, and my
companion here, whose name is Miller,
and who lives at Thorrell Moor, and
works at the Wood Pit, can tell you the
rest. In the first place let me say that it
was from me that Salome Birmingham
got the Jewels"
From you2" Sir Sydney and his ward
exclaimed in breath.
Eyes from me, strange as il may seem, "
Hugh replied, quickly
And where did you obtain them?'
Lady Carsland queried.
~ found them one day about ten
months ago while at work in the mine
Dick and me were working together that
day, and he knows that while we were
clearing up the bottom of the old shaft
called the Dingle Pit we found-at least
found-a leather handbag. The bag was
fastened up when | found it, and when
broke it open ] found all the jewels in
side. But Miller here never knew until
! told him this afternoon what was in the
bag. / was alone when / found the bag,
and l told him when l had hidden the
jewels in my can that it was empty. He
looked at the bag and recognized it ; didn't
you, Dick?"
All did the old pitman replied, some
what slowly. But, Sir Sydney ,afore IN
tell what all know yo' will ha' to gle me
l.
for what all say
The baronet was silent for a moment,
and Paul broke out impulsively:
You may speak out Sir Sydney will
give YOU the assurance you want. and
will see that you lose nothing by anything
you say in order to clear Salome from the
suspicion under which she now rests
"Yes-speak out " said the baronet with
logged air of resignation. Il suppose
you were one of the gang of poachers who
robbed me that night in HouCh Wood"
The miner answered in the affirmative
and then proceeded in his own rough
fashion to relate how the pOachers at
tackled Sir Sydney, thinking he was a
gamekeeper and how on discovering their
mistake the ringleader had insisted on
robbing him in spite of hs-Miller's-
testations. Then he spoke of the row the
gang had with the keepers near Gale
Wood when the locked bag was thrown
down the disused shaft
Sir Sydney, Lady Carsland and Paul
Meredith llsteued quietly but with won
dering faces, to the old pitman's story,
and when it was ended, Eastwood spoke
again.
When | discovered the Jewels" he
said land learned from Miller that the
bag was taken from you, Sir Sydney, |
knew that the ornaments must be valua-
bic. ! was poor man, and it was a great
temptation, but did not touch single
one, ! am glad to say. l sent them all to
Miss Birmingham, and made her believe
that they had been left to me by a rela-
ton. "
a am glad the thing is cleared up, East
wood" Paul remarked, but it would
have saved US all much trouble had you
returned the Jewels at once to their right
ful owner
81 was sorry enough, Mr.. Meredith,
can assure YOU" Hugh replied, when
heard that Miss Birmingham was sus-
pected of being mixed up with the rob-
berry and had run away"
But why did YOU not tell the whole
truth to Sir Sydney and Lady Carsland
long ago2'
Because was in Australia when l
heard of it, | came back straightway-
throwing up my work and everything
only landed in Southampton a couple of
va = o4llNt. 81 tlldl YOU Will ste. MT Mere
dith, that ! have not lost much time"
You have not. indeed, and | beg your
pardon for what | said" Paul said
warmly. And if you really came all the
way from Australia simply to clear
Salomes name, ] shall never forget such a
service. Eastwood"
1T is quite enough for me to know that
am able to undo the harm / did her in
sending the jewels to her. / daresay Miss
Birmingham would not have accepted
them had she been able to send them back
10 me, Hugh said
How do YOU make that out. Mr.. East
woodf' Lady Carsland interposed. What
was there TO prevent her refusing them
Because By the time they reached her
az the vicardge, where she was living
then, your ladyship, was on board ship
on my way to Melbourne" the Young
man answered. You must all see now
that she was not to blame at all for what
has happened. ] am most to blame for if
had done as ! ought to have done
brought the Jewels at once to Sir Sydney
she would not have been covered with
shame and bounded ont of the place"
Never mind, Eastwood. D." Paul re
marked, Il for one am perfectly satisfied
that the mystery which enveloped the
jewels is at last cleared up. and especially
as II turns out that no one-not even YOU
was seriously TO blame. am sure that
Sr sydney and her ladyship are quite