Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-10-10
r1s1'sFEf By SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
FOR THE DEFENCE,
! BY FERGUS HUME
Author of The Mystery of Hanson Cab, Madame Midas "Tte
Queer Story of Adam Lind 1.-THE Lone nn,'' 1.-The
Masquerade Mystery "a Marriage Mystery
THE Carbuncle Clue &c.. &C.
COPYRIGHTED, 1897, BY FERGUS HUME.

here, Major; but hardly expected to
see Mrs. Dallas
You villain!" cried that lady, start
| ing from her seat. DO you think
want to see you after all the misery
you have caused? Why, l refuse even
to remain in the same room with you!''
And with a furious gesture the Creole
swept past Etwald and out of the door,
which she banged loudly. Etwald look
ed at the door, shrugged his shoulders,
and turned politely to the Major.
ut is just as well she is gone" said
he, quietly. '"It is better that our con-
versation should be private"
Il wish to hold no conversation with
a scoundrel, sir!" cried Jen, purple with
rage. Follow the example of Mrs.
Dallas, if you please"
Etwald looked round for chair, Sc
lected the most comfortable, and sat
down with great deliberation.
Il never follow anyone's example,
Major" he said dryly. ''It is always
my custom to act independently"
"Pll have you turned out of the
house"
I'm that case you'll never hear what
l have come to tell you
whats that, sir?" demanded Jen, in
calmer ton.
"The TRUTH"
bah! | heard that in court"
Indeed you did no such thing" re-
torted Etwald, coolly. MY story is
quite different to that of Dido
"David's was different also"
Il know it. But my story-the true
story, mind you-differs even from Da-
vids. Will you hear it, Major, or shall
| leave your house before | suffer the
disgrace of being kicked out?'
The Major considered for a few mo-
ments before replying. There was a
limited mystery in the manner OF Etwald
which puzzled him not a little, and
what the demeanor might mean he was
anxious to learn. Moreover, he wished
to know the actual facts of the case
and now that Dido had fled, Etwald
was the only one who could tell them
Acting upon these considerations Jen
sat down again in his chair and sulkily
gave Etwald permission to remain and
explain. This the doctor proceeded to
do at once.
"As you are aware" said he, calmly,
Il escaped the charge of murder and
nocent of the crime. But as to the
stealing of the body, I am guilty, and
l do not
Where is the body, you wretch?"
Pardon me-" said Etwald, raising
his hand in protest. eff you interrupt,
or call me names. | shall tell YOU moth
ing. To proceed" he added seeing the
Major held his peace 81 am out on
nail ann u fnf. trfa
on the charge spoke of. However,
am not afraid as / can defend myself
in manner you little dream of. But
being out on bail I came to see you"
ITO tell me more lies?'
ITO tell you the truth, my dear Major.
and 7 assure you that the truth will
surprise you not little.''
What is it?" demanded Jen. in a
fever of excitement
Patience! Patience! I shall tell
you when the time comes. But, by the
way, Major-Dido?"
'She has fed"
Il know it. She was afraid of me-"
Hardly" replied Jen, a trifle spite
fully. you have lost the Voodoo
Stone, remember
Yes. l was taken advantage of for
once in my life. A cunning woman.
that Dido. She got permission to see
me in prison, and to talk to me alone,
under the pretence of telling me about
her evidence. Knowing that | could
compel her to Go what l wished by
means of the Voodoo Stone, | saw her
with pleasure, as it was my intention
to put the words likely to get me Off
to prove my innocence-into her
mouth. However, while l was talking
10 her, she suddenly produced a phial
of the devil-stick poison, and threw it
IN my face. Of course, | instantly be-
came unconscious, and it was then that
she Wrenched the tailsman off my
watch chain
us the poison so quick in it's effect,
them"
Il should think So" said Etwald.
coldly. you see how David fell in
court after wounding his hand. I fell
IN prison quite as quickly, but. as nv
SKIN was not scratched, and the drug
only took effect through the nostrils,
l recovered"
AND when you recOvered?"
The gaoler told me that Dido had
called him in, saying that l had faint
ed. While they were getting me round
which took an hour-Dido went off
with the Voodoo Stone. Those about
the prison had no reason to detain her
SO she left. When l found the Voodoo
Stone gone" added Etwald impressive
ly, Il knew that the black wretch
would give evidence against me and
that the game was at an end"
You expected to be hanged" sug-
gested Jen.
Well, no." replied the doctor. with
wonderful GOODNESS. Il did not expect
that. If the worst came to the worst
l knew l could protect myself; but
must admit that the confession of nv
counsel, Mr.. Sarby, took me somewhat
by surprise
Poor David" sighed Jen. thinking
OF the young man cut off in the bloom
of his youth.
Poor David" echoed Etwald. with
a sheer. Foolish David you might saw,
TO Gle for the sake of a woman
Yet, you risked death for the same
woman"
I risked danger for the woman's
fortune retorted Etwald. with revolt
ing candor. ut was the money
wanted. But, death-no. | did not
risk that
Il am not so sure of that Etwald
How did you know that David would
confess in so dramatic a fashion,"
did not know it, Major. As
said before, his confession took me Inv