The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-08-26
ICAE WILMINGTON; DELAWARE FRIRDAY AUGUST 26, 1898

DuI Nb AVT 1uch u HPituulu CudT
fty, uncle. The Imbecile Law Clerks
Seaside Fund, and I'm simply ripping
as the Dean! And you've gone ant
thrown the programme into the waste
paper basket"
Mr.. Blest looked very stern. II dis
approve Of any one, much more mem
Der Of learned profession like ours
holding up clergyman to the ridicule
of the ribald upon the stage; and
was going to give you an opportunity
of being useful to me. Please make
inquiries about Mr.. James Hedgeter
an autograph dealer. Here is bis
present address, and when you can tell
me something about him perhaps
shall be able to impart to you In con-
fdence the details of a case that will
be wholesome WI rning to you"
YES" murmured Mr.. Blest decided
I ly, as the door closed behind his neph-
ew. 1.-THE husband must know ALL"
| A week later, Mr.. James Hedgeter,
who was stout, red-faced, and with a
tendency to pimples, met a man who
was tall and little threadbare, and
whose red-facedness was concentrated
In and around his nose, and. walked
with him from st. James's Park to-
ward Holborn. The other man SHE'D
visibly at the recruiting sergeants in
Trafalgar Square, and crossed hur-
riedly to the pavement by st. Martins
church.
Eyer sure it's all serene?" asked the
tall man. This Blest amt going to
cut up rough?"
Not he.' answered Mr.. Hedgeter.
Hes regular mild old family solor,
II you know what that is. II they'd
meant fighting he'd have turned the
Job over to somebody else, and then
I should have fought shy of it. None
of your George Lewises for me. I've
seen Blest and sized him up and
you've done the same for the parsons
wife"
II ave, and the parson, too" said
his companion, expectorating con-
temptuously. 'E's a daisy; big as a
'ouse, smooth, rsd-faced, an oily In the
pulpit; an didn't . give 'er beans
walking 'ome! card I'm"
The tall man stopped and looked In
to shop-windows In Great Turnstile
Mr.. Hedgeter went on to Bedford Row,
and asked tor Mr.. Blest with some.
what exaggerated air of confidence and
pomposity.
Mr.. Blest stood ON the hearthrug,
looking very hot and nervous. Mr..
Hedgeter held out his hand, but he
waved him back.
you have brought letters?" he
asked briefly.
AN you have the notes?" said the
other, doggedly. II came here, as
you wouldn't come where I wanted
you to, trusting to your honor"
"Did you?" said Mr.. Blest dryly.
"Then, as I put no trust In your hon.
or, Mrs. Smythe will identify the let.
ters."
He touched the bell, and with q ra-
pidity rarely seen of the stage when
bells are rung Mrs. Smythe appeared
through door behind Mr.. Hedgeter.
He held them up to her one by one,
battered, worn strips of foreign note
paper, that she looked at mournfully,
Still she had wonderful nerve: her
voice hardly shook as she said simply,
There are two more, the two that
were in these envelopes"
There amt" said Mr.. Hedgeter.
There are" said Mr.. Blest, inter-
posing. land II they are not produced,
this matter cannot proceed"
Then it's no DEAL" said Mr.. Hedge
ter, folding up the battered pieces of
paper.
you scoundrel!" exclaimed Mr.,
Blest, do you know that what you
are doing means penal servitude?"
IF she likes to tell her husband. 1t !
might mean something of the sort" re- !
piled Mr.. Hedgeter, coolly.
But she has," exclaimed Mrs.
Smythe, and Mr.. Blest touched his bell
again.
Drop it," exclaimed Mr.. Hedgeter.
turning little pale. you don't bluff
me-"
He heard step behind him, and a
heavy hand was laid upon his should
er.
"You scoundrel!" said a deep, mel
low voice.
Let me introduce Mr.. smythe," said
Mr.. Blest, who seemed to have recoy-
cred his nerve; land let me remark
that Detective-Sergeant Drewitt, of
the Metropolitan Police, is waiting
downstairs till ring again."
Mr.. Hedgeter's face turned a dirty
yellow. Only his nose retained any
redness, and that adopted bluer tint
that made it almost purple.
"You just read these" he said VI
ciously, holding out the letters. Mr..
Smythe was tall, stout, and his hair
was tinged with gray; but his fingers
must have been very strong, for Mr..
Hedgeter writhed in his grasp without
his seeming to exert himself.
Don't, darling" murmured Mrs.
Smythe warningly. Her voice seemed
to recall to her husband the necessity
for being calm. {
Put them on the table," he said In
lis booming deep voice; and then, as
Mr.. Hedgeter mechanically obeyed, he
oosed his hold upon him and went
md stood by Mrs. Smythe with his 9
rm around her. 1--WE defy you," he
aid. Il know all, and l believe my =
wife; dearest" he added, drawing her .
oWard him, do not tremble." 1
Mr.. Blest interviewed in incisive
ones. l.
What is more, Mr.. and Mrs. 9
mythe have decided to prosecute; =
'hether on the surrender of the re- 81
naming letters they might In any way :,
airy that decision am not in posi- :
ION to say"
Mr.. Hedgeter looked at them. The
lergyman was gazing into his wifes :
yes, bending over her. She was look
lg very pretty. Then they both
lrned and faced him.
Sergeant Drewitt can accompany
ou to fetch the others,' said Mr. -
lest, shifting his position impatient q
Here they are" said Mr.. Hedgeter, q
lllenly, laying two more slips of pa :,
n on the table. Mrs. Smythe stepped
rward and nodded. Mr.. Blest took
EN- all up, swung open the door of
s safe, threw them in, and let the
'or clang upon them. And there
ey will remain" he remarked in his
ost acid tones.
And, now" said Mr.. Smythe to his
re, I'VE will go ald have luncheon
gether."
She smiled a little embarrassed SO
lille. "You know have to go to thI
l..