Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-16

their tcte-a-tcte the lovers separate.
Ralph Boyd returning home. He is
aroused from his su1nbers early the next
morning by a visit from Mr.. Ceurtenay's
footmal, Short, who tells him that his
master has been murdered.
CHAPTER V.-DIsCLOsEs A MYs-
Terry
The mans amazing announcement held
ne speechless.
Murdered" ] cried when 1 found
tongue. "Impossible:'
All sir. It's too true. He's quite
dead"
But surely he has died from natura,
causes-eh?"
NO, sir. Ny poor master has -esn
foully murdered.
.3iow do you know that" l asked
bresathlessly. Tell me all the facts"
bite face, and the hurried manner in
which he had evidently dressed to come
In seal oh Of me. that something tragic
had really occurred.
I'VE know nothing Yet. SIR" was his
Quick response. Il entered his room at
two o'clock. as usual. to see if he wanted
ANYTHING. and saw that he was quite still,
apparently asleep. The lamp was turned
low. hut as ! looked over the bed l saw
q small dark patch upon the sheet This
] discovered 10 be blood and moment
later was horrified 10 discover a small
wound close TO the heart, and from it
the blood was slowly oozng.'
Then he's been stabbed. YOU t,hinlz?'
gasped, sp@inging up and beginning TO
dress myself hastily
we think so. sir. It's awful"
Terrible" l said, utterly dumb
founded by the mans amazing story.
AFTER you made the discovery how did
you act?"
Il awol5e the nurse. who slept in the
room adjoining. and then we awoke Miss
Mivart. The shock to her was terrible
poor young lady: When she saw the body
al the poor old gentleman she burst into
tears. and at once sent me 10 YOU ]
6idn't find a cab itilFTd walked almost
10 Iammersmith. and then 1 came
straight on here"
But is there undoubtedly foul play,
Short
NO doubt whatever, sir. I'm nothing
of doctor bat I could see the wound
plafnIy-Iike EMAIL. clean cut just un-
ser the head"
"Io weapon about?"
Il didn't see anything, sir"
Have you called the police?"
no. sir Miss AIivart said she would
= ait until you arrived. she wants Your
opinion.
and Mrs. Courtensy? How does she
bear the tragedy
The poor lady doesn't know yet"
Doesn't know: Haven't You told
herr"
~. sir. She's not at nome
What? She hasn't returned?"
',No. sir responded the man.
That fact vas in itself. peculiar. Iet
there was. felt sure. some strong rea-
scr il young Mrs. Courtenay remained
the night with her friends. the Hennikers.
Trains run TO Kew after the theatres,
lGt she had possibly missed the last, and
lad been induced by her friends 10 remain
the night with them in town
Yet The whole OF The tragic affair was
certainly very extraordinary. 1t was
Shorts duty 10 rise at two o'clock each
morning and go To his masters room to
ascertain ii the invalid wanted anything.
Generally however. the OLD gentleman
slept well; hence there had been no neceS-
sity for 4 night nurse.
When entered the cab. and the man
N2ving taken a seat beside me we had
set out on our long night drive out 10
Kew, ] endeavored to obtain more de-
tails regarding the Courtenay menase
In an ordinary way ] could scarcely
have questioned q servant regarding his
master and mistress. hut on this drive
saw an occasion to obtain knowledge,
and seized if.
Short, although velI-trained servant,
vas communicative. The shock he had
sustained in discovering his master made
him so.
After ten years service he was de-
voted TO his master, but from the re-
marks he let drop during our drive ]
detected that he entertained a. strong
dislike Of the old gcntleman's young wife.
BE was, OF course, well aware Of my af-
lection fer IEthelwynn. and carefully
concealed his antipathy towards her.
an antpathy which somehow felt con-
WINGED existed. Tic regarded both sisters
with equal mistrust
Does your mistress often remain in
town with her friends at night
Sometimes. When she goes to balls"
And is that often?'
Not very often.
And didn't the old gentleman know Of
his w!fe's absence"
Sometimes. He used to ask me
whether AIRS. Courtenay was at home.
End then was bound TO tell the truth"
BY his own admission. then this man
Short had informed the invalid OF his
wifes frequent absences. lie was an in
former, and as such most probably the
enemy Of both N1a.v and Ethelwynn.
] knew him TO be the confidential servant
u the OLD gentleman. but had not before
suspected him Of tale-telling. Without
toubt Mrs. Courtenay's recent neglect
had sorely grieved the old gentleman.
lie dotted upon her. INDUCED her in every
within and fancy, and like many an aged
husband complained of her actions There
Is deal Of truth in the adage. There's
no fool like an old fool
But the mystery was increasing and as
we drove together down that long interim
lhabie high road through Hammersmith
10 ch'swicB. wet. dsr,. ana silent nj that
hoHr. ] reflected that the strange presage
~ Insecurity which had SO lcrG oppressed
me Haa actually beieg fulfilled. Am bier
JeNons had laughed al it, But would h.
.spsn now? Tomorrow. without doubt.