Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-01-20
HIS GRACE
BY MRS. C. N. WILLIAMSON.
Author Of "The Barn Stormers," 'sThe Woman Grey
Fortunes Sport ''rhe House by the Lock-"
"A Man From the Dark, Lady Mary
of the Dark House." "Her
Royal Highnessn etc.
Royal Highness" etc.

note together in his pocket, when the
coroner turned to him once again.
Mr.. Palgrave," the helpless servant
of precedent, said Imply, presumably
you knew the Duke of Leicester more
intimately by far than the majority Of
those present In the face of this ex-
traordinary, most unheard-of occur
renee, do you still adhere to your for
mer statement as to recognizing the
dead body Of the -Duke?"
Savernake, whose ears were quick as
those of fox. had heard the question,
and had turned his head to fix the wit
ness with, a glittering eye.
1t had come-the crisis-and he was
still unprepared! With gruesome in
congruity, the trial scene from The
Bells arose before Palgrave's eyes,
dim, grey, and unreal, even as on the
stage-only the tortured figure, and
the white awful hands above it's bent
head, alive. Perhaps he too was in
dream. 1t seemed easier to believe
than the reality.
If only Savernake would call off those
COMPOUNDED eyes. If only he, Palgrave,
could claw forth the mystery hidden
behind that eagle face of his.
Had his ancient enemy torn out the
dead secret of the Moated Grange, Or
was there Just the one chance which
Blandon had suggested, that they could
do the trick even yet?
'I-don know what-to say" he
stammered.
You don't know whether you recog-
nize the Duke or not? You are still on
oath, Mr.. Palgrave."
Was he mistaken? or did the fellow
speak less respectfully than before,
even with ring of suspicion in his
voice?
Il repeat, I don't know he said
more steadily. There came a certain
COUldSc II OIA I1C li1CI 1dSL tl1dI Lac was
at bay. IF l must speak out what is
in my mind, it seems to me there may
be some fraud Certain of my cousins
friends lose much with his death-as
much as gain. And how is it possible
for the dead to rise from the grave?"
Does not this gentleman exactly re-
semble the Duke Of Leicester? There
are others here who feel no doubt.
THE resemblance is certainly mar
vellous. | would not doubt myself,
except that-that-I have always been
accustomed to trust my own reason,
not to believe in magic. Let him
prove that he is my beloved young
cousin. that is all | ask, and l, more
than anyone else, will welcome him
with open arms. Because of my very
love for him, | must be sure that it is
he, before l speak as my heart prompts
me to speak"
The coroner turned to the jury.
Gentlemen he said, I'VE must admit
that the hesitation of the witness is
to be understood, in the circumstances
This inquest has been, and is still be-
ing, held for the purpose of ascertain
ing whose body was yesterday found
in the Thames, dressed in the clothes
and carrying about it certain articles
individually belonging to the Duke of
Leicester. We can doubtless best con-
tinue our inquiry by means of inter-
rogating the gentleman who has, it is
now claimed, a right to that title.
Somehow, Palgrave got out of the
box without disgracing himself Though
there was a feeling in his knees as
though they had been struck by NAL
lett, and before he knew what was
happening to him the young man in
the grey travelling clothes found him
self summoned as a witness.
He had been prepared for a good