The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-11

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pid, blockhsad detectives, he answered
carelessly. II suppose they thought it
necessary to arrest some one, and I hap
pened to be the victim selected. hope
they won't detain me long," he added,
"for have planned to be of for France
within q week"
Twas surprised at his expressed in
tention to 60 away so soon. but felt
greatly relieved to know that he regard
cd his arrest 80 lightly and had conf
dsnce In speedy release.
/ remained with him for nearly an
hour, but to my surprise he gave no
hint Of any circumstances regarding his
arrest. In fact, be seemed to wish to
avoid the subject altogether, and left
him more mystifed than ever. On my
way to my Office met the mayor of
Mayburg. He had just had an inter-
view with the detective who had caused
the arrest to be- made, but that individ-
ual, like all those of his profession, was
very reticent regarding the affair, but
seemed very positive in his belief that
the right man had been captured. He
had stated, however, that Jack Peters,
the gardener at Darkwood Hall, had
recognized young Rainforth as the man
he had seen passing through the grounds
on the night of the murder. He had
other evidence, he asserted, which would
be brought forward at the proper time.
In spite of the light manner in which
young Rainforth regarded the affair
recognized the fact that matters were
assuming serious complexion. He
was comparative stranger In the place.
Even l, who was perhaps more intimate
ly acquainted with him than any one in
Mayburg, knew little of his past his
tory, and il was plain to see how easily
suspicion might point to him, being the
only stranger in the village.
Was it really he whom the gardener
had seen at Darkwood Hall on that fatal
night? IL so, what errand could have
taken him thitherl He had never men,
toned the matter to me. Then II was
claimed that there were other things
back of this which would be made
known at the proper time. 1t did not
require much reflection for me to see
that, although / felt convinced Of the
young man 3 innocence, there might be
woven about him such network of cir
cumstantial evidence as to give him far
more trouble than he dreamed to escape
from its meshes.
AS walked on toward my Office the
surprising intelligence / had just re-
ceived gave me ample food for refiec-
ton. Then another event had occurred,
which, had it happened at any other
time, would have caused considerable
comment. The master Of Darkwood
Hall, so the report ran, had at last come
to make his abode in his long neglected
country seat. Strange servants had been
seen about the place. and young wom-
an of surprising oveliness-evidently
the daughter of old Isaac Dangerheld-
had been seen walking in the grounds.
When they had arrived no one seemed
to know, for the recent murder had so
absorbed the attention of the inhabit-
ants of Mayburg that they gave little
heed to events of a social character.
1t was almost sunset when reached
my Office. To my surprise, found
servant from Darkwood Hall waiting
me that my services were required at
the hall at once. Miss Dangerfield was
very ill-in fact she was lying in an
unconscious condition at that moment
and the housekeeper had dispatched him
for a physician with instructions to
make all possible haste.
AS soon as / could enter my Office and
get my case / climbed into the carriage
and was driven rapidly away. From
the servant, who was very talkative and
volunteered to impart great deal of
information, learned that Isaac DAN
gerfield had died year before, and that
his daughter Grace, now the sole mis-
tress of the hall, had arrived there with
her servants on the 9th inst. and would
probably make the place her permanent
abode.
The mysterious tragedy which had
taken place 30 near the hall, the serv-
ant informed me, had completely un-
strung the nerves CT the young lady.
She had been fearfully shocked and hor-
rified ut the event and had for days been
confined to her room, and now her symp-
toms had grown decidedly alarming.
On reaching the hall / was met at
the door by the housekeeper, kindly
faced woman of about 40, who conduct
ed me through long wide hall and up
afiight Il stairs. Then, passing through
another hall. was ushered into room
occupying the eastern wing of the build
ing. Every article of furniture in the
room betokened opulence and exquisite
taste, and upon a luxurious couch, from
Q curiously fashioned dragon shaped
chandelier overhead, cluster Of waxen
tapers shed q subdued radiance, reveal
ing the face and arms of young wom-
an of surprising beauty. Her face was
of the purest type-olive tinted, with
traces of suffering about the delicate
mouth. Her eyes were closed, and her
hair trailed in dark wavy mass across
the snowy pillow.
The nurse, who was seated by the
bedside, arose as / entered.
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