Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-04-18
CHAPTER NJ.
Bitter as Wormwood."

Bitter as Wormwood."
The last evening train brought down
Sir Lionel Stanhope, for whom the de-
tectlVe had telegraphed. He asked at
| once at the village inn for Mr.. Benson.
and for the few moments that he was
alone, stood shading his eyes with his
hand-a stern gravity on brow and
lip. He did not doubt his wife for
one instant; he knew that she would
! never sWeve from her faith. But
could thought be always captive under
the iron hand of duty?"
He reused himself as the detective
entered, and the tinge of hauteur in
| Sir 1iOnefs manner rendered poor Mi.
BenSOn'S task the reverse of agreeable.
He plunged into it, however.
Il have to inform YOU. Sir Lionel"
he said, that the man who last year
stole her ladyship's jewels is no other
than gentleman we'll known to YOU
and Lady Stanhope-Mr. Reginald
Werner"
For one brief second there was 81
lence, and in that second LiOnc's heart
stood still. If this news came with a
profound shock to him, he did not
show it; he simply babe the man tell
him everything. which the detective
did, from the moment that BapriSte
recognized the thief to his (BenS ,l'SC
meeting Rex Werner in Stanhopa lark
his subsequent search of the Castle
being certain that Rex had escaped
to seek Clare's protection, and Ia, rs
refusal to allow him to search tie
secret apartments.
Then he paused, and Lionel, ;cukin
UP said, quietly:
,fell?'
The man still paused, emb1. .#Sr |,
but after moment, proceeded to give
his views of the matter.
You are aware" he said, not look
ing at Sir Lionel, that Mr.. Werner was
Lady Stanhope's lover-sOciety credits
him with being so still. In plain terms
Lady Stanhope is sheltering her lover
Pardon me if | seem too bold
Every word had been like 4 dagger
thrust to this mans proud heart, but
not so much as the culver Of an eye
lid betrayed how deeply the sting
went. He spoke in a measured voice
at last
You have done your duty he said,
'to the utmost of your ability. No
doubt you are a man Of great penetra-
ton: but it has failed there. | have
the most absolute faith in my wife
Mr.. Werner was a friend of hers; [
received him as [ did others. What
society says is of no moment to me.
Lady Stanhope has told you she has
not seen Mr.. Verner-her word is
enough"
But, Sir Lionel" the detective re-
joined in some haste, what more
natural?"
81 am not concerned with what is
NATURAL" said Lionel, slightly raising
his hand. 81 simply tell you what is
impossible" He paused, and added
Let that pass, however. Now that
you have found that this man is Mr..
Werner, of course the whole thing
must drop
Benson looked absolutely dumb
founded.
Drop" he calculated. well, I'd
that you would have hunted him
down"
Possibly" and there was some
scorn in the patrician's quiet tone.
You judge after your order, 1 after
mine. Enough" he added, with
change of manner. "You have had
many expenses; allow me to discharge
my obligation to you; and remember
as he filled up a check-"that I rely
on your being absolutely silent on all
points connected with this case" And
the look that accompanied the words
gave them weight.
And so Mr.. Benson bowed himself
out, somewhat consoled for the loss of
glory by his employers liberal inter-
probation of expenses"
Then Lionel Stanhope turned aside,
clinching his right hand.
1T is bitter as wormwood!' he NUT
tered Her name-my name-lightly
used. Glare, Glare, can my love forgive
this?''
So he passed out, calm again, and
the landlord begged him to have
carriage.
For" said he, 1.-The winds awful and
the sea running mountains. They do
say as the tide'Il be higher than it's
been in our time-and that's high
enough
But I am not going along the
cliffs" Lionel answered, and went out
into the darkness.
Something in the war Of the elements
was all in tune with his humor this
night.
CAPTER Mi