Middletown transcript., 1904-05-14
CHAPTER TX


turn and saying that AL was we'll, and
the latter adding anxio1s Inquiries about
his foster-mother But On the second
day Of their. absence . change for the
worst set ii, and Doctor Giles told ReIf7
that Mrs. seatoli's powers d -
gradually but surely failing
win telegraph to Lord EE Il le 1t once,
he said hurriedly. Heesn epared now
tlas III y right III ipst now
81 N pass that exess.jiz ri
III houlz u reunion and ioy Gil =
heart ~ piersea by The keenest rane
be bad asef know iii his life. Jps I'D
dom kilIel e kuew and the yoa.lg Iii.
holding his mother ii l.is arms bring
her deash- In ss'opla, lad i Iast seen her
eyes niiclose and oil ineffalle JOY
light mp her still fair face. Holding her
hand III his. feeling his kiss on her cheek,
seemed to bring back to her life aud
strength, and youth as surely as the re-
nufciation OF tile SON Of her love was kill
|, ling that other motl,er--near III maternal
tenderness il not in kin-far away at
Hilary.
81 Business demanded the young Earl's
presence in London, aud Lady Erndale
knew he must leave her for time. So.
when Doctor Giles Telegram was put into
his hands. he never allowed her to guess
the contents, and she imagined it referred
to business connected with the proofs of
his-identity, whilst Geoffry, hurrying off
to catch the express from Worchester,
was soon being rapidly wi.irled along to
Hilary, arriving late in the autumn even-
ing at Monk Hampton, where carriage
from the Dover House was waiting.
The young Earl was surprised to see
Callagan on the platform, awaiting the
arrival Of the trail. and still more SUR
Iprised when the man advanced eagerly
to meet him.
Didn't the missis say as Thomas Seaton
wur dead? he asked hoarsely as Lord
Erndale came up Wur she with him
| when be died7 For, as sure as there is .
Heaven above us, saw him in Monk
Hampton last night
The mans agitation was SO real and his.
excitement go intense that Geoffry felt
fthere was something more than imagina-
tion in his story.
| think she was with him just before
his death, lie replied, after moments
pause. But know she was taken i'll
either then or Immediately afterwards
and could not leave her bed.
It's just as I've been thinking, then
said Callagan, wiping the sweat from his
brow. ] said as how ! doubted Thomas
Seaton even when he wur dead, and now
| believe his death wnr fiuke and he's
hangin' about here for no good.
Will you remain here, said Eord Ern-
dale little anxiously, for he was think
ing of his foster-mother and what Calla-
gan's story might mean to her-sill you
remain here and try to find out whether
the man you saw il really Thomas Seaton
he asked, after moments pause. And.
If you will drive with me to the police
station, will tell the inspector to give
you every help in his power. There is
sickness at the Dover House, the Earl
went on sadly, and have been tele-
graphed for to 90 at once to my foster
mother. cannot stay to help you. i
II there wnr a-many like you, said
Callagan biuntly. the world 'ud be deal
better for it. I'll come with you TO the
p'lice station, for I'm not afeared yell
hand me over for what's past. But me
mind misgives me that Thomas Seaton 'ud
hand me over if he wur in yer place-and
maybe he'll do il jet If ever he gets the
chance.
What can Thomas Seaton's motive be
for pretending to be dead if the man you
have seen is he 2 Lord Erndale asked as
they drove to the station.
Naught but cussedness, said CaIlagan
sayagely. He wanted TO palm ron off as
his own son, and not tile Child lie made
me steal and he KEEP close 10 see how
things wur turning out. He didn't think
as I'd tnrn Queens evidence by no manner
of means, and il lie gets q chance he'll 4
kill me for it. Fl
Nearly every one seemed to know the
particulars OF the great Erndale case, and
the inspector remembered Thomas Sea-
toms threats Of vengeance. II
Wen have him watched, my lord, he
said, after hearing Callagan's story, ii
Callagan can point him out to one Of our |
men. Here, Jenkins, he added, calling
to constable outside-you' re told off for
special dnty-in plain clothes, you know
in order to watch man who's sup
posed to be lurking about in Monk lamp
ton! He's the man who tried for the .
Erndale title and estates, and gave him
self out as dead sometime ago. This nap 1
indicating Callagau-will point him out ,
to you and, as you heard all about his
spite towards the Erndales when he failed
to win his case, you'll know you've a
rough customer to deal with.
The constable went off to change fiis
clothes. It was nearly dark when Galla-
gan and his companion went out into the |
streets Of Monk Haanpton in the hope Of /
finding Thomas seaton. Callagan lad /
nothing with him but a thick stick, but {
the constable was fully armed, and car-
ried handouts with him. Together theyj
went down the high street bat, sepasat- {
ing later. the constable walked. on as If
there were no connection between l,isai- |
self and his companion. II
They had walked thus for nearly an /
hour, and the shops were beginning 10 +
close, save few eating houses aud tobac- !
conists, whose very trade made them
keep late hours. Issuing from one Of tile {
latter where the shutters were already up,
only single gasjes burning al the coun- i
ter near the door, s1,ort and tl,ick.set !,