Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-06-27

mind. HOW ala you occupy
Il did my usual work in the stables
and harness room, sir.
Did you give any one reason 10
suppose you were unhappy
Yes. | told the men. You see, 1t
was one of our gardeners that saw the
orchids when she-the woman that
begged them of me-wore en-. 80 they
were all speaking of it, sir.
Did you threaten anything" asked
Mr.. MOrdaunt.
Il said as how l would do something
desperate if l lost my place-only
meaning against myself, sir"
"Ah. yes. Or course. Still, you see'
our opponents will c0nstrue any amblg-
uous words to mean threats against SIR
Jasper. However" seeing the mantle
Of gloom fast falling upon the young
man. Il have no doubt that we shall
prove them wrong.
Dobson sighed hopelessly.
When you met Sir Jasper at the
Odswinton station that same night, was
the subject referred to-
NO. sir. He said never a word. 1t
was a way he had being a silent gem
tleman. He just got up on the back
seat. and when | saw him settled COM
Portable l gets in front, and on we
goes"
Now. tell me candidly, Dobson, Tor
much depends on this-did you near no
sound or sign behind you all the way
None. sir; on my life it's true. re-
piled the groom eagerly.
1t was very dark-no moon-and yet
you saw your road all right
Yes: the carriage lamps were bright
sir. and the snow was not sodead dark
as you might say black road would
have been
Gould anything have passed without
No. sir. l swear it didn't"
NO one could have been hidden in
the dcg-cart?'
No. sir. for l drove to the station IA
il and under the seat was a basket OF
fish that had come by rail.
VERY good. OF course the entire
absence of footsteps does away with the
supposition Of anyone overtaking you
on foot. and had they driven you would
have heard.
"Oh. yes sir. ~
You were never conscious Of being
asleep
IF YOU knew the 'orse as l drove,
sir. YOU wouldn't think of that. He
needs a firm hand sir" Dobson replied,
the pride of office for a moment light
ing lis dull face.
And you heard Sir Jasper making
no sound?'
NO. sir None as could justify me
lookin' round.
Now. when you reached the door of
Welland Court. what did you do? Tell
me in your own words.
Il Jumps down, and holds the 'orse S
head. But the master never stirs. so
l waits a minute. and then sees as how
he's crouched up like. asleep. SO |
thinks | might take the opportunity
Of asking his pardon, and sayin' as
how if he kept me on he'd never have
cause to anger against me. Round !
goes and SAYS: Sir Jasper. sir. we are
home. sir like that. But he takes no
notice. and then"-here the speaker
could not repress a shudder-"I puts
out a hand to rouse him. respectful
like. sir. and feels him all wet and
strange"
And that is all. Dobson?'
Il don't remember no more, sir, eX-
cept 'ammering at the hall door for
help. feelin' as if Death was laughing
on the doorstep besides me, said Dob
son. the horror even of the memory
bringing drops Of perspiration to his
brow.
"'rhank you. Dobson,' rejoined the
solicitor. Il do not think that anything
you have told me throws fresh hight
on the matter. As it stands now, It
seems an impenetrable mystery. But
We never know what day may bring
forth"
Bidding farewell, Mr.. Mordaunt took
his departure. On reaching his office
he gave orders that for half an hour ne
must remain undisJurbed. and locking
himself into his private room, sat and
pondered over the mystery.
If Dobson did not murder Sir Jasper,
Satan himself must have done 1t. 1
wish to goodness | had never undertake
en- the case. or that DObson had not
recovered his senses after that fit. We
might have secured a verdict of insan-
ity then. Howson is against us, and
they'll hang him as sure as my neck
is unwrung.
Which soliloquy argued but lightly
for Mr.. MordauIt's faith in his clients
innocence.
CHAPTER XVI
Earl,- in tho afternoon the rain