The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-22
(Continued)

The whole object OF the strategem was
now disclosed 10 me. II had been so
managed as to make remand necessary
In town where l was a perfect stranger.
and where | could not hope 10 get my
liberty on bail The remand merely ex-
tended over three days. until the next
sitting OF the magistrate. BY that time.
while ! was in confinement. Sir Percival
might use any means he pleased To en-
barrass my future proceedngs-pernaps
TO screen himself from detection alto
gether-w without the slightest fear OF any
hinderance on my part. AT the end OF
the three days. the charge would, no
doubt, be Withdrawn, and the attendance
Of the witness would be perfectly useless.
My indignation, | may almost say my
despair. at this mischlevous check 10 all
further progress-so base and triting in
Itself. and yet so disneartening, and so
serious In its probable results--qutte un-
fitted me. at first. 20 reflect on the best
means OF eXtricating myself from the
dilemma in which / now stood. | had the
folly 10 call for writing ma terials and 10
think OF privately communicating my real
position TO the magistrate The hopeless
ness and the imprudence Of this proceed
ing failed 10 strike me before | had actu-
ally written the opening lines OF the let
ter. 1t was not till | had pushed the
paper away-not till | am ashamed TO
say. had almost allowed the vexation of
my helpless position 10 conquer me--that
course OF action suddenly occurred 10
my mind Sir Percival had probably not
anticipated and which might set me free
again In a few hours. | determined to
communicate the situation in which l was
placed 10 Mr.. Dawson OF oak Lodge.
] had visited this gentlemans house. II
"A.
first inquiries In the Blackwater park
neighborhood and had presented TO him
letter of introduction from Miss Hal
combe, In which she recommended me TO
his friendly attention I'm the strongest
terms / now wrote referring TO this
letter and 10 what | had previously told
Mr. Dawson OF the delicate and danger
Gus nature OF my inquiries. i had not
revealed To him the truth about Laura
having merely described my errand as
being OF the most importance 10 private
family interests with which Miss Hal
combe was concerned Using the same
caution stil. 1 now accounted for my
presence at KnowiesOury In the same
manner-and / put Il 10 the doctor TO say
whether the trust reposed in me by lady
whom he well knew. and the hospitality
had myself received IN his house. justi-
fed me or not In asking him TO come TO
my assistance I'm a place where l was
quite friendess.
/ obtained permission to hire a mes
senger TO drive away at once with my let |
ter IN a conveyance which might be used |
to bring the doctor back Immediately. F.,
oak Lodge was on the Knowlesbury side /
OF Blackwster The man declared he |
could drive there in 40 minutes and could /
bring Mr.. Dawson back in 10 more. l |
directed him 10 follow the doctor where
ever he might happen TO be. II he was
not at homeland then sat down to wait !
for the result with ali the patience and |
all the hope that | could summon to help f,
me.
1t was not quite half past one when /!
the messenger departed Before half |
past three he returned and brought the I
doctor with him. Mr.. Dawson's kindness /
and the dellcacy with which he treated |
his prompt assistance quite as matter of /
course. almost overpowered me The bail |
required was offered and accepted i'm
mediately. Before o'clock on that /
afternoon / was shaking hands warmly /
with the good old doctor--a free man again l
lin the streets of Knowlesbury.
Mr.. Dawson Hospitality invited me TO go |
back with him to Oak Lodge and take up
my quarters there for the night. | could /
only reply that my time was not my own, |
and | could only ask him TO let me pay
my visit In a few days, when / might re- /
peat my thanks and offer 10 him all the |
explanations which | felt TO be only his /
due, but which | was not then I'm n posi-
ton 20 make We parted with friendly /
assurances on both sides. and turned my
steps at once TO Mr. Wansborough' : office |
I'm the High Street.
Time was now OF the last Importance
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