Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-11-13
CHAPTER Xxx.

CHAPTER NX-.
'This 10 an awkward business, my man
ian awkward and q di~sagreeable bust
ness. I may say"
The speaker was Mr.. Sturt, one of the
principal solicitors in Daneborough, and
clerk to the magistrates.
"An awkward business. for him, I
hope!" growled out the person addressed.
"You persist, then, in your accusation
against the gentleman whose name you
have just mcntioned?' said Lawyer Sturt.
Every well. l have sent a message to
DR.. Leader. No other county magistrate
could be so promptly communicated
with"
Crouch took a chair. while Mr.. Sturt
went on with is writing, In perhaps
twenty minutes more a boy clerk ushered
In "Dr. Leader"
''This man insists" said Lawyer Sturt,
upon bringing 81 formal charge against
Sir Richard Mortmain, of Helston, a
landed gentleman, a baronet, and brother
of Lady Thorsdale."
"Ah, indeed" said DIR. Leader, survey
ing from beneath his bushy gray eye
brows the truculent countenance, shaggy
and broad form of the accuser
"And,' added the clerk to the magis-
trate, che admits that it is private re-
sentiment which has induced him to come
forward in this NATTER"
"Nothing more probable" observed the
Doctor. I'VE had better get in Il sue
cinct form his statement of the case and
reduce it to writing"
"He gave ue these. Sir II. did," said
Crouch. savagely as with a brown fore
finger lie pointed to two BLUSH wales
that Scared his ugly face; "ns if I'd been
a hound to bear the whip. But I'm not
here to jaw about Il mere assault. 1
charge Sir Richard Mortmain, baronet,
with forgery to the tune of eight hundred
pounds sterling. He did it ut q time
when he WAS on bad terms with his faith
er. the late Sir Richard. The forged
check purported to be signed by n noble
man who lived near us-at Mortmain. L
mean-and l was the man who presented
it. and got the cash for it, at Threddles-
ton, Then there came a GOODNESS and
thee We're words between me and Sir r..
And that was how he wrote me two let
tiers, which l have by me to this day. and
which are proofs that he wrote Lord
Wyvern's name on the check. and that he
begged and prayed me, his accomplicc.
not to split"
This sounds n c%ock-and-bull story. my
man." remarked Lawyer Sturt. IL doubt
if any jury would believe your tale"
"That depends. of course" said DIR.
Leader. mildly. " .pon the proofs"
"Tve got them. sir. never doubt me"
responded Crouch. confidently. ~ can
lay my hand at an hours notice on what
will send my fine gentleman to spoil his
white hands with onkum-picking and
Q~uarryman's work"
Rufus Crouch. after indulging for a
time i'll liquor and boastful talk at Il low
public house on the verge cf the town. left
DaneDorough in II state of high excite
ment.
II shall be queens evidence, and so
come safe out of the forgery job" he
muttered to himself.
Horde Cliff, us Rufus had truly said in
his conversation with the baronet. is a
formidable place-a rampant frowning
down upon the sea. Crouch, excited by
drink and the tension of his nerves. walk
ed recklessly at the very verge of the
giddy height, kicking over now and then
apebble or u clod of earth. and then laugh
ing, as an ogre might have done, Mt the
grim visions that passed through his
seething brain.
AT last Rufus reached the tempting
spot which he had lovingly described to
Sir Richard-the scene of the intended
murder. How he had gloated over the
details of the projected crime! 1t would
never be done now-that dark deed
never! never! Crouch was not one to
risk his neck gratis; and yet
AT the selected spot the ruffian turned,
with his face toward marlborough. the
town he had just left, and by an effort
of the Imagination saw before him. hur-
rying along and unsuspecting, the hated
form of Don.
AHA! my gentleman founding" he
snarled, zone good push and over you go.
never to come up again.! And as he
spoke he stamped his heavy foot on the
betting cliff, and threw forward his great
hands in hitcous imitation of the pur-
posed crime. But Their the crumbling
path gave way beneath his unwary feet,
and with one wild yell of despairing an
guish, down, down went Rufus himself
to the jagged rocks below!
1t was two days before the body was
found.