The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-01-29
The Hunchback

four. He was not only hunchback,
but there was a cast in one eye, he
was almost bald, and his voice was az
harsh as a ravens.
How Melville became possessed Of q
large sum Of money was another mat
Ger that was never fully explained. His
arrival In London was one Of the most
brazen things a man ever did. He had
q dozen forged letters and, giving out
that he was Immensely wealthy, he
rented large house and installed him
self and began to mlngle In society.
He was called delightfully."- eccentric"
his gross Ignorance was termed pic
turesque," and inside of a month he
had the run OF three or four clubs and
had besn taken up by society.
He determined to marry. Perhaps
be fell in love. perhaps not. At any
rate, he selected the daughter of a
member of parliament and made love
to her so fast that she was swept on
her feet and gave him her hand.
A certain widow not yet thirty years
Of age had set her cap for Melville,
and when she had made sure that she
had lost him she determined on re-
yenge. She had a cousin who was an
officer in certain regiment then stM-
toned In England, and she knew be
had served in New Zealand. She went
to him for information, and the cat
was soon out Of the bag. Captain Bur
ton had read and heard OF the million
aire hunchback, but owing to illness
had not met him. He had never met
any one Of that name, but when asked
TO set his memory at work he recalled
a certain incident Ten years previous
while on hunting expedition on the
Ashley river, on the east coast OF New
Zealand, he had trouble with a squat
ter and his son. The latter was a
hunchbaek and had shot at him.
The captain had little idea that the
millionaire and the squatter's son were
one and the same, but he took his
chances that they we're. He threw
himself In the way OF the man and at
once Identified him, both by his voice
and his deformlty. Forty years ago
New Zealand was a long way on
from England. There was no cable,
few steamships, aud letters took
months to go and come. Their idea
was to expose the man at once. Tue
captain made up his mind to blur him
down In his own house. He would
either compel him TO leave London or
expose him. The officer did not figure
that the hunchbaek would attempt to-
strike back. but went almost at once
and secured an Interview. He was
graciously received, and he felt that
be had made no mistake In the identi-
0eatIon. Tho bog Of fifteen who had
held rifle within ten feet OF his head,
finger on the trigger and eyes blazing,
had simply become ten years older and
changed his squatter's dress for fash
lonable clothing.
There Is no doubt that the so called
Melville also recognized the officer.
This the latter had not counted on. He
gave not the least Sign, however. The
captain had plenty OF moral courage.
and as soon as he could bring II around
he boldly charged Melville with being
an impostor. His charges were met
with smiles. Instead OF being offend
ed, the hunchback said that he was
only too glad that lhe officer had come
I 10 him. IL there was the slightest
doubt In the mino Of any one. that
doubt must be set ct rest. He would
welcome the fullest and closest lnves-
tigation. II Captalh Burton would call
az certain hour neat day. birth Ger
tlhcate, title deeds to lands. letters
from prominent people, and so forth
and 80 forth, would be placed before
him. The New Zealander would also
have present a banker and two prom
lnent merchants to voueh for him in
his faroRf home.
What we are the most certain Of IL
the very thing we can be tripped MP
on Let the man who has lived at 264
Blank street be told that the number
ls 28S aud that the other win bet him
10 TO aud he can be bluffed out. He
Ia too sure 10 be sure The too sure
witness Ii spelling cases In court ev-
cry day In the year. The captain was
sure and not sure. and the result was
that he was soon wishing he had not
meddled with the case. He had made
his charge. however. and must 90
t1ANuAh WIN tue NAAH. 1U was ~ tuG
house at the appointed hour and there
found two respectable looking men who
were introduced to him as the mer-
chants spoken OF. On the table were
many papers, aud the hnnchback ex-
planned that the banker was expected
every moment. While the four waited
Il was only natural that the wine
should be passed around. Ali were
talkative and friendly. and all drank
Then one OF the merchants began TO
talk about an adventure no had had
with the natives OF New Zealand The
captain was following him closely
when all At once he lost the run Of the
remarks. Then the room began to
dance around with him. Then wheels
began 20 turn In his head. and he lost
consciousness.
The wine had been drugged. Il was