Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-04-21
VII.

covery described at the end OF the pre-
vdous chapter. Save for the cries OF
the ladies, who shrank from the box
and covered their faces with their
hands, and a muttered ejaculation from
Godfrey, some seconds elapsed before
anyone spoke. Fensden was the first
to recover his presence of mind. Pick
ing UP the sheet of paper which had
fallen to the ground, he covered the
box with it, thus shutting out all sight
Of tire dreadful things it contained.
Perhaps 1t would be as well, ladies,
If you we're to leave the roon," he
said. ..Godfrey and 1 must talk this
matter cver, AID consider how we arc
to act.
"Cone, mother" said Kitty, and she
led the o.d lady in a semi-faintiny con-
dition from the 1otm, closely followed
by Molly.
When the door had closed behind
behind them, Godfrey spoke for the
first time.
Good heavens, Victor!" he said.
"What does this mean? Am l mad or
dreaming"
II fear it is no dream" replied the
other. who could have done it? Is it
a cas- of murder, or what? Did you
rncOCpi1o
Godfrey crossed to the chimney
piece and covered his face. A suspic-
ion, so terrible that he dared not put
it into words, was fast taking posses
sion of him.
Come, come" said Victor, crossing
to him, and placing his hands upon his
shoulder, I'VE must look this matter
squarely in the face. Be a man, and
help me. The upshot may be even
more serious than we suppose. Once
more I ask you, did you recognize what
you saw"
Il fear So" said Godfrey, very slowly,
as If he were trying to force himself to
speak. There was a little scar, the
result of a burn, half ar inch or SO
above the knuckle of the second finger
of the right hand"
He had painted those beautiful hands
too often not to remember that scar.
Without a word, he crossed to the table
IN tho middle Nf tho roor, ,oo, rrbiob
the box stood, surrounded by the cases
containing the other wedding presents,
and once more removing the lid and
the paper, carefully examined what he
saw there. No, God help him! there
could be no sort Of doubt about it:
the hands were those of Teresina
Cardi, his model and friend. When he
had satisfied himself as to their iden-
tity, he closed the box and turned to
Fensden once more.
1T is too horrible" he said. " but
what does II mean? Why should the
murderer have sem the hands to me in
this dreadful way?"
That is what / have been asking
myself" tensden replied. "The man.
whoever he was, must have borne you
a fiendish grudge to have done such a
thing. Is there anything about the box
that will afford a clue as to the identity
OF the sender? Let us look"
He examined the box carefully. but.
beyond the printed name on the firm
who had originally used it, there was
nothing that could serve as a clue. II
had come by train from Euston. and
had been sent off on the previous even
ing. That for the present was all there
was to know about it.
Once more, what are we to do?" in
CURED Fensden.
communicate with the police" said
Godfrey. "In the meantime. I think 7
will send a note to my future father
in-law, asking him to come over. l
should like to have his help and sup
port in the matter"
A very proper course" said his
companion. Il don't think you could
do better. 1 should send a man away
at once"
Accordingly Godfrey went to a writ
ing table in the corner Of the room.
and wrote the letter, then rang the bell.
end bade the servant who answered It
see that the note was despatched with
u delay. When the man had disap-
peared, he turned to Fensden once
more. And now" he said, Il think
Il would be better if we removed the
box to the studio"
s,hey did so, by way of the new con-
~servatory, of which mention has been
made elsewhere. Then, In something
less than an hour, Godfrey's future
father-in-law arrived. Godfrey receiv-
ed him in his studio, and introduced
Fensden to him as an old friend.
ut is very good of you to come 50
quickly, Sir VIVIAN" he said, motion
ing him to a chair. 81 took the liberty.
OF sending for you because I want your
advice In a very serious matter. How
serious 1t is you will understand whom