The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-11-16

purchase OF their pOl1cleS, people WHO
lived hundreds of miles apart We're
struck down by some deadly disease,
and in several cases not only had the
assured persons, been cut off. but also
other members of their families. He'd
ford had seen strange things in India,
and had heard of stranger. He was the
reverse Of superstitious, but he could
not, at times, help feeling that there
was more than coincidence in the mat
ter. and that Sir William Huntingdon
possessed powers of q diabolical and
horrible nature. The specialist, how
ever, was both sensible and scientific.
To be both scientific and sensible Is to
orthodox minds an impossibility. AS
Hedford possessed a happy combina-
ton of these qualities he dismissed his
wild fancies. Had he been less deter
mired he would have given up the case
in despair. He was on the point OF
returning to Salchester, when he re-
ceived telegram from Mr.. Montagu
Scott as follows:
ITO II edord. Mitre Hotel, Manchester:
Policy purchased By Huntingdon yes
terlGy, ten thousand pounds. See adVer-
tisement Daily Telegraph 18th inst Ham
ilton staying Grand hotel, Brighton. Let
10 Scott, London"
Reference to the columns of the
Daily Telegraph showed that a policy
on the life of q retired Indian officer
had been sold at auction the previous
day.
The specialist arrived at Brighton
tired and worn out with continuous
travelling. He found the letter from the
"Royal Standard" awaiting him. The
policy had been effected ten years pre-
viously in that Office and the assured
was Major General Hamilton. late po-
litical agent at the court OF the ra1ah
of Goragphur. He had been unfortu-
nate in a recent gold-mining specuia-
ton and had lost large fortune. Hence
the sale of the policy.
Hedford was intensely interested.
After removing the traces OF ms TIRE
some journey he sent his cart to Gen
eral Hamilton. They We're old friendS.
and over d cigar and a whisky-and-
seltzer in the smoking-room, Hamilton
related the story of his misfortunes.
He had still his pension and small
remnant of his capital left; but he bit
terly regretted having had to let his
life policy go. His daughters were to
ioin him the next day and. in the course
Of q week or ten days, they intended go
ing to some cheap continental water
ing place The girls did not know of
their fathers financial difficulties. and
Hedford was cautioned not to divulge
anything to them.
Inc NllSSeS tltliIlItbli 'iiIiN w ''i' i'->'
morning and renewed acquaintance
with the specialists. who laughingly re-
minded them that when he bade them
! farewell ten years before at the Cor
akphur residency they had shed tears
at his departure and had been lavish of
their caresses He told them that he
hoped by "strict attention to business,
etc, to merit a continuance. or rather q
renewal of favors then bestowed. For
| l,,;, ha 4, 10, carin,rs rr,iG-
sion, and. in the charming society of
Ethel and Mary Hamilton delightful
| evening was spent. But he did not long
| neglect his duty. and that evening the
Hamiltons saw him off by the London
express. He had arranged to accom-
pany the party to Dresden on his re-
turn from town.
That night Hedford had n conversa-
ton with Mr. Montagu Scott, and sub
sequent more lengthy itnervicw
with the celebrated Inspector Trow-
brigg. of South American fame, for
merly of Scotland Yard, but now n
private inquiry agent" The two left
London together for Salchester by the
night mail.
Two days afterwards Hedford Chun-
dra- -Dass. with several travelling trunks
| and pOrtmanteaus. returned to
| Brighton. After q week spent by the
party in making preparations for de-
| parture, 1t was arranged that they
should cross by Dover and Calais next
| day.
Hedford retired to bed after an en-
joyable evening, feeling relief in the
thought that his old friend was fleeing
from the mysterious fate which might
befall him at any moment. He spent
troubled night. Distracted thoughts
| kept him awake. and he only fell into
sound sleep towards morning. He
was awakened by Chundra- -Dass, whose
usually dusky countenance was liter
ally of an ashen pallor e.. ...
Supplied General Sahib his 'Chota-
| haZri,'" he stammered.' with chatter
ing teeth. "Sahib very bad. Him one
dam rash all over
Jumping out of bed. Hedford threw
| on his dressing gown. and, followed by
/ Chundra- -Dass, rushed to the generals
bedroom.
The sword had fallen!
What do you think is the matter,
Hedford?" the general asked. anxious
ly. II don't half like this rash on my
face and wrists. I feel as IL I've been
peppered by. small shot"
II don't like 1t, either" said Hedford.
gravely, after careful examination OF
his patient.
"W nat have got?"
Smallpox"
my God!-the poor girls!"
Major General Hamilton died and was
duly buried.
The specialist might have made n
"post-mortem" privately If he had
wished. But the general had died of
smallpox and there was an end of it.
Besides he had abandoned the poison
theory. He had entered q cul-de-sac.