Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-05-16

oAiO 3ASO taxing ciiaISe OF Iue IrOnI en-
trance.
to bid adieu to the Squire.
Goodnight, my friend" he said;
TRY to bear this burden brayely'
Bravelyr lose all one by one,"
/ said Sir George, in q weary voice.
There may be brighter days in store"
replied the lawyer, ''when you may gain
instead of losing; wait and be patient"
And he departed, leaving the Squire
wondering.
| On the following morning the house
party took their leave.
| What had the day before been the
scene Of m;rth and joyousness, dimmed
only by the mournful warnings of the
hidden bells, was now an abode of
silence, the Christmas decoration seem
| ing CHASTITY mockery.
In the early dawn, the police made an
exhaustive search through the premises
and grounds.
In the latter they found what prom
ised to be the only elue-a track of foot
steps leading from the gypsy encamp-
ment straight to the wall, and then from
that point crossing the grounds to the
French windows on the terrace, which
gave entrance to the conservatory and
ballroom.
But the clue was very poor one.
1t proved only that one of the gypsies
had made his way from the encampment
to the house.
But who was it?
There We're so many gypsies that it
was impossible on such slender proof to
arrest anyone.
All that the superintendent could do
. / II
must not attempt to leave the neighbor-
hood until the mystery of the murder
was cleared up.
The police sustained their first defeat
here.
Not one of the gypsies-male or female
expressed the slightest fear or objec
ton.
One and all professcd the most pro-
found sorrow at Richard Fernleigh's
DEATH and, in fact, it was well known
that they were very friendly to the
Squire, and that he was friendly to them.
So far there was a deadlock. and on
the day following Christmas day the
meeting of the magistrates elected no in
formation from anyone.
Those who saw the murdered man ly.
ing on the floor of the ante-room, stabbed
to the heart, gave what little evidence
they had to give, and that was all.
Ernest Walton-the one who first dis
covered the crime-was, of course, the
principal witness
lie said that he had left his partner
for a few minutes, while he went to get
a brandy and soda, when he saw some
one rush by him and then stop short at
the door of the ante-room. This person
was dressed, he said. in the garb of a
Spaniard of the olden time He was
masked, and therefore he (Walton) was
unable to distinguish his features.
Il took no notice of the circumstance, .
said Walton, cas- | thought that it was
some lovers rendezvous; but l had no
sooner drunk my brandy and soda, and
was returning, when | heard piercing
cry. and a shout for help
81 at once ran to the room, and saw
my cousin Richard lying beneath the
chandelier, with dagger in his chest.
Then l rushed to the ballroom, and
alarmed the guests. You have been told
the remainder of the sad story"
The question now was, Who was the
man in the Spaniards dress?
Only three people in the court knew
Gladys Fernleigh Mr.. Casson, the So
licitor, and Reuben himself.
The latter turned somewhat pale when
he heard this evidence against him; but
he bore up bravely.
''Who is to prove anything against
me-" he said to himself. There is only
Gladys who saw me in that costume. and
Mr.. Casson. The latter would not, in his
own interest, start such a mad story,
and the lips of my little sweetheart are
sealed by love. All / must do Is to keep
silence, and wait upon events"
The inquiry was adjourned for week,
leave being given, however, to the police
; superintendent to call court if any
evidence of importance was able to be
brought forward.
Three days went by.
The Hidden Bells had ceased their dis
cordant iangling, the wind had died
, down. and the old manor, now that the
awful deed was done, was left to the
silent mystery of death,
On the morning of the fourth day
that before the funeral-the Squire was
; surprised by a visit from Mr. Casson.
He greeted him very heartily, though he
could not for the life of him imagine the
meaning of the mysterious words which
the lawyer had spoken to him after the
awful occurrence of Christmas eve.
1t was of this that the lawyer first
spoke, when they sat down in the bar
onet's study.
4 have no doubt you were surprised
at my remark the other night, Sir
George" he said, but | had serious
reason for it. ! am, with your permits
sion, going to take you back for many
wears, and awaken most sorrowful mem
cries. But it is entirely in your own in
terest, and in lne interest of one whom
you love"
"Gladys?"
at affects her indirectly" said Mr..
Casson, "in way of course, which at
present you cannot understand. But il
will not take long to explain every thing.
know, Sir George, that my words will
have an exciting effect upon your nerves,
but bear with them as best you can, for
they will prove the unravelment of a
mystery which has harassed your mind
for many a long year"
The Squire's face beamed with a sud
den hope.
He had been visited bv an awful loss.