The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-09

must rave Dttu. Ee SdlQ. GHathIIs MS
cue. There wasn't a bit of flesh on the
, bones-they were all charred, of course.
even the ligan.ents were gone
Then how did the skeleton hold to-
setheT?" said l.
1t didn't the dog must have brought ii
cut almost bone by bone l can't think
why he isn't more severely burnt. And,
by the way, dent mention it to nv wife,
but ] asked the man if he'd mind my taxi
ing a photograph of the skeleton; he did
not object. and Fll come with you tomor-
row and bring my camera"
On the following morning we started of
to The village. my cousin discreetly cen
cealing his camera until we had turned
the cCrner of the drive. We found the
unhappy couple in the cottage of an old
servant OF my cousin. They were sitting
together in the kitchen, and the old wo-
men VINO owned the place was vigorously
driving of the curious villagers VINO tried
to peep in at her windows.
l was right. l recognized the man and
the woman Immediately. and my old
friend Nero was lying by the fire with
bandages around his neck. ali three
greeted me cordially. and ! sat down to
converse with them, while my cousin as
sisted his old servant in dispensing the
IDLE crowd outside.
This is a dreadful business | began.
How terribly unfortunate you are And
poor Nero couldn't save the child?'
NO, SIR said the man. shooting an an
cry glance at his wife. It's a wonder
he wasn't killed"
He doesn't fear death" said I. "tnat 1
am sure OF. I didn't know you had an
other child, my poor fellow. l thought
the one that was drowned"
Yes. sir" said the woman, wiping her
eyes. This was our last sir"
Poor things. poor things" said 1. and
silently slipped a coin into the woman's
hand. My cousin entered briskly.
Well, how's the dog?" said he.
Going on well, sir" said the man.
He's come off well. considering all
things" and again he looked angrily at
the woman
We'll, let's go upstairs" said my cous
in. No, don't you come. my man; 1t VIII
only distress you"
The remains of the poor child were laid
out in little room upstairs. The skele-
ton was. as far as my unpractiaed eye
could judge almost perfect; yet every
bone was separate from its neighbor. and
there was. as M cousin had said. no trace
of any ligament.
who arranged these bones?' l asked
DIR. Ripton," said my cousin; there's
going to be an inquest.
ITS marvellous that the dog should
have found them" said l.
Yes, isn't it? ! believe he brought
them all out. They're very little charTed,
when one considers the violence of the
fire and they can none Of them have Teen
left in the fire long because it wasn't put
out for more than an hour, and there
wouldn't have boen anything left of them.
Just pull up that blind, Will you! want
more light
Ny cousin took several photographs,
and we went home. The inquest was held,
and the jury refrained from blaming the
poor woman, believe, though didn't see
the report. The public was very much
interested in the sad case, and good
deal of practical sympathy resulted from
the publication of the story in the press.
About a week later my cousin said to
me. after breakfast, Those poor people
are leaving today l must really print
those photographs. Very possibly the
man would be glad to have them"
The dark room adjoined my cousins
study and / sat and smoked my after
breakfast cigar while my cousin arranged
the fixing. or whatever it is called, OF the
photographs. Finally he produced them
for my inspection.
They had come out very well, especially
one that had been taken Of the skull. l
was examining this when l noticed mark
on the top of the head that / did not re-
member seeing when We viewed the
body
whats this?" said, and pointed out
the mark TO my cousin.
Maybe flaw in the plate" said he
Here's a magnifying glass; look at 1t
through this.
l locked, and, to my utter establishment,
saw clearly marked upon the skull the
q
cousin in silence. He looked. started, and
then turned TO me, his face absolutely pur-
pie.
ITS number" he said. horsely.
'It is" said l. How on earth did 1t
get there?"
How" he yelled. "why, we've been
done This isn't the skull Of child at
all; there never was a child in that in
fernal van. This is some COMPOUNDED old
skeleton that's been faxed up by that
smooth-spoken villain
STEADY, steady" said I; you can't be
sure"
Sure, OF course I'm sure. How could
the number get there on living child?
Answer me that. The rascal, the Internal
rascal I'll see that he gets his deserts;
I'll
stop a bit said l. Don't be SO hasty.
You may be right
81 am right
Very good. But it will be an unpleas-
ant business. You wrote Ia the paper. you
know
My cousins jaw dropped. Il know
did," said he, after a pause. 81 know I've
made an ass of myself They'll guy the
very soul out of me for this. But. hang 1t,
man, you wouldn't have me- hush it up?'
NO. no." said l. hastily. IT'S not
question of hushing up! only wish you
not TO act upon suspicion"
The door opened and John appeared. "a
man to see you, sir he said.
WHO is it?" said my cousin, angrily.
"It's the man whose child was killed,
sir" said John.
What's he WANT"
''He wants to see Sir George, sir"
VERY good said l. show him IN here
and John departed.
Now, look here" said /. hastily, 81
must see this man alone You must not
mix yourself up in this business. Cont
try to be wiser than a coroners jury, my
dear fellow. I'll settle with the man
alone: if you were here, he knows you're
a magistrate-hed say nothing-or if he
did you'd have to take it up, and l don't
think that's desirable"
My cousin looked at me doubtfuIly; then
silently nodded his head and went out. In
another minute John reappeared.
1.-The man wants to bring his dog in,
SIR" he said. do you wish i'm to do so?'
Certainly" said I. and John withdrew
and presently ushered Nero and his mas
ter into the study.
Good morning" said /, coIdly. You
wish to see me. understand"
Yes, SIR" said the man. I'm going
away today, sir, and remembering how