Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-03-05

ton under protest and without the
slightest suspicion that any such drug,
or any poisonous matter at all, was
given 20 the late baronet-in fact, j
run certain there was not, and that
he died natural death, or else should
not have given the certificate / did"
1--WE feel assured of that, sir, but In
the interest Of justice, we are bound to
stop ut nothing. We intend to demand
an exhumation of the late baronets
body, and shall require your assistance
in the matter!"
The doctor sat down, shaking from
head TO foot. An exhumation--and of
one of his own patients! Such thing
had never been heard of in Naming
ford before! 1t would be scandal
disgrace would have done any
thing in his power to prevent 1t!
Remember, gentlemen" he said.
that this application will be made
against my express wishes or consent.
You must do it on your own responsible
ity! l will have nothing to do with
the matter! Sir Henry Ellesmere died
from stroke of paralysis, and nothing
else! 1t will be iniquitous II he is dis
turbed from his last repose!"
90! it won't hurt him." said Ben,
checrfully; land I don't think we
shall need to trouble you any further,
SIR, either. I've took down your re-
marks III my little book, md l think
| they will be sufficient. If not, it's easy
to apply to you again. Good morning!
and taking polite leave, we bowed our
selves out of the doctors promises.
II can't see the good of this, Ben"
| I said az we strolled back to our inn.
Whatever do you want TO rake up the
old gentleman for? If be was MUIR
| dcred, which dom aeGw likely, it won't
help us on with our jewel case. Only
gong out of the way, 1 call it, for 10th
ing!"
You bide bit, Jack" was his re-
ply. 1--WE got u little roundabout way,
perhaps. but know what I'm coming
20! You're such an impetuous fellow.
| You haven't the patience 10 see thing
through
"If I'd stopped as long MS you do,
10 see thing through" l retorterl,
I'D never caught those two rascals,
Aears and Allcock. at Chicago"
"Coclsadoodlcdoo!" cried Ben, and
then felt u bit ashamed of my brag.
ging before a man who was worth two
OF me. When understood what Ben
would be at, / wanted 10 interview the
little humpback again at once, but he
said it wasn't necessary.
owe got all out of her that want,
lie replied. "Shc struck the match, anc
the fire is kindling all over me! But
tins will be long business, Jack, and
we must take Sir Charles into our conf
tlence at once. let us go on to The
Gables"
As soon as we met the bnronet, Ber
startled me by saying:
"IIave you the certificate of Sill
JIenry's death, which was written 10y
DIR. Stone, Sir Charles?'
1T is, I believe, in the library drawer
with other papers"
Have you seen it yourself?"
81 have only glanced at it cursorily
did not arrive here till an hour be
fore the funeral. Lady Ellsmere, my
s,epmother, received the certificate
from DIR. Stone for the benefit of thu
undertakers, and locked it away i'm
mediately afterwards"
1--WE should like to see it, il you hav,
! nc objection, Sir Charles"
"None in the world" replied thu
young man, that is, if it can be o
property" And he rang the bell ant
desired servant TO fetch his bunch .
keys off his toilet table. In a few min
,ites the certificate was in Ben's hands
ION what day did the funeral TAX
placer" he asked
ION the 18th" replied Sir Charles.
"And when was the coffin closed?'
1.-The day before, l believe" was tn
answer; Eat least my stepmother tol'
lne SO. At oil events, / did not see IN.
father ngnin."
"Why is this certificate then date
the 18th, sir? Can you tell me that?"
81 had not noticed that it was, but i
may have been because DR.. Stone wa
called away at the time OF my father
death and did not return till the morn
ing of the funsral."
"And consequently did not see tn
body before giving the certificate" per
sisted Ben.
. Il suppose SO. But was that inform
! al? He knew perfectly we'll what Sil
Henry died of. lie had seen him at the
first. but did not believe in his danger
l know nothing of such matters.
thought It was all right"
Doubtless, Sir Cf<s;'les. To Or. Stone
: should have known better. However
he has rendered our task easier Bush.
and /, we are going to apply for an eN
humation of the body"
What" exclaimed the baronet, II
J., tone of horror; you surely do no
suspect"
), 1--WE suspect nothing, Sir Charles, bu
IL would be satisfaction to us to view
the body. It's all in the matter OF bust
!, ness, sir, and we hope you won't Oh
= ject-"
ION the contrary, if there is likely u
be any good in it shall help you all II
: my power. What do vou intend 10 do?
{ Then put myself forward.
> with your leave, Sir Charles, l Ehal
stay here" l said, whilst Crewe goe
- back to London to make the applica
;, ton. 1 don't feel that my work is fin
i. ished. | must take more soundings be
: fore shall he satisfied that the jewel
!. are not stu in Manningford."
: II feel convinced they arel" chime
in Ben.