Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-10-03
IlslleD By SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.
ON THE DEFENCE,
BY FERGUS HUME,
Author Of The Mystery of Hanson Cab MADAME Midas "The
Queer Story of Adam Lind "The Lone nn,'' "The
Masquerade Mystery" ga Marriage Mystery
1.-THE Carbunce Clue" &c., &c.
COPYRIGHTED, 1897, BY FERGUS HUME.

| ity; and then you can decide whether
| | am fit to re-enter your house"
Il can't understand you, SIR said
| Jen, with a sigh. Whatever your
reasons may bel feel sure that 1 shall
not approve of Them
You approved of my reasons be-
| fore, Major. You shall approve of them
| again. In the meantime, until the
| trial. let us remain strangers"
| He bowed, and without offering his
hand-which it is very probable Major
| Jen would have refused to take-he
! left the room. When the door closed
| the older man sank into a chair and
| passed his hand across a brow moist
with perspiration.
There can be only one explanation, -
he muttered David is mad"
The result of this conversation was
| that David took up his residence in
Deanminster near to the gaol, and
saw Etwald frequently about his de-
fence. The Doctor assured him that
he possessed sufficient power over
Dido, by reason of owning the Voodoo
Stone, to prevent her from becoming
a witness against him. Sarby was sat-
| isGed that if Dido did not appear to
| give evidence, the case for the prose-
cutiOn would fall through. She was
the only witness of whom the barrister
and the prisoner had any fear.
On his part Major Jen, together with
Arkel, built up a strong case against
the man whom they truly believed to
be the culprit. Search had been made
in Etwalds house, but no traces Of
the dead body could be found It's dis
appearance was almost as profound a
mystery as the reason which had in
! duced Etwald to steal it. The reasons
for the theft of the devil-stick, for the
murder of Maurice, were plain enough;
but what had induced the Doctor to
make away with the corpse no one
could discover. Etwald himself, even
to his counsel, was silent on the sub
| ject.
Arkel had sought out as witnesses
against Etwald seven persons First,
Mrs. Dallas, who was to prove that she
was hypnotized frequently by Dido
Second, Isabella, who was to depose
that before the murder her mother had
| been sent by Dido to "Ashantee' to
| steal the devil-stick. Third, Batter
sea, who was to give evidence that he
had found the devil-stick within the
grounds of Mrs. Dallas. Fourth, Lady
Meg, who was to prove the offer Of
Battersea to sell her the stick. Fifth,
Major Jen, who could explain the en-
gagement of the dead man to Miss
Dallas, and the rivalry of his assassin
Sixth, Jaggard, whose evidence would
tend to- show that Dido had drugged
i h i'm Cor tho of cd
body And seventh, the most import
any witness of all, Dido, who was to
Oppose to the manufacture of the
POISON, the refilling of the devil-stick
!, and the giving of it to DIR. Etwald so
that he might perpetrate the crime.
With these seven witnesses, Jen did
not see how Etwald could escape the
gallows.
Are you sure that all these people
Will speak out?" asked the Major of
Arkel when the list was submitted to
| him.
Il am certain of all save one" re-
piled Arkel, in a dissatisfied tone "and
the worst of it is that Dido is the
one
Does she refuse to give evidence
against Etwald?"
should think so. Simply because
he is the holder of the Voodoo Stone"
Can we force her by threats to give
evidence?" said Jen, angrily.
Il don't think SO; it wouldn't be
legal" answered Arkel "The only
chance of getting the negress to con-
fess the whole truth is for either you
or to gain possession of that stone"
Where is it?''
"Etwald carries it on his watch
chaln. L saw him the other day in
prison, and he showed it to me. A
common little black stone, it is, but
DIDO would kill him with pleasure to
get it,
xiii Etwald!" calculated Jen. Then.
after a pause, he added: Il believe
you are right, Arkel, for it is not the
man himself she cares about, but the
stone. However I'll see Isabella and
make her persuade Dido to speak
against Etwald."
The Major went at once to "The
Wlgwam," but, notwithstanding all his
eloquence, in spite of the tears and i'm
plorings of Isabella, the negress posi-
lively declined to say word against
the Great Master.
While dat big man hab de Voodoo
Stone, l do notin -notin," she said.
And from this obstinate position they
all failed to move her.
When Major Jen departed both Isa-
bella and her mother were in despair.
Failing the proving of the crime
against Etwald. accusations might be
made against Mrs. Dallas. And this
result could be brought about by Dido,
did she choose; but the spell of the
Voodoo Stone was on her, and she re-
fused to say anything likely to incul-
pate its master.
why don't you get the Voodoo
Stone yourself, if you adore it so
much " cried Mrs. Dallas, exasperated
by this obstinacy.
Dido opened and shut her hand con-
vulsively.
"Ah, if hab dat Voodoo Stone. l be
/ great; great-de Queen OBJ the debbles.
But he no let it go,"
60 and see Dr. Etwald, and tell him
you will give evidence against him
unless he gives you the stone"
This suggestion came from Isabella.
but of it Dido took no notice. With
out word to mother or daughter. who
were both in tears, she left the room.
In tho afternoon she u-oe