The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-08


! and man entered. It took Japhet some
time to accustom his eyes to the dim
| light; then he recognized his visitor. 1t
was Melchior.
Ignoring Japlets angry words, Melchoir
said: "Japhet Sir Henry wants Fleta to
be delivered to him. Give us her address
and write an order to the school where
she is, SO we can send for her, and you
shall be released"
IT absolutely refuse" said Japhet you
want to harm her. What is your connec-
ton with Sir Henry?"
THAT I cannot tell you," said Melchior.
II am in his power and he is a desperate
man, who exercises autocratic rule in this
part of the county You are lost if you
do not accede. I shall leave you to think
1t over"
For three days Japhet was left in his
dark cell, being visited every day by Mel
chior and refusing anew each day to
tell where Fleta was. On the fourth day
Japhet Infatuated, said to Melchior You
are Sir Henry de Glare! And 1 am con-
WINGED that you wish to put Fleta out Of
the way because she has some claim on
the estate left by your brother!"
Melchior's face became that of demon.
He opened his lips to reply, but turned
away without word and left the cell.
For two days Japhet lay in the dark with
out food or drink. At last he heard foot
steps The door was opened and closed.
Two men stood In the chamber, each
| armed with a great sledge hammer
TITS all over with mer' cried Japhet,
land l shall never find out who is my
father. Come on, murderers, and do your
work quickly!'
The two men advanced without speak,
ing word. The foremost set down his
lantern and swiftly swung his hammer
with both hands At that instant the man
behind him raised his weapon and struck
the foremost man dead with a single
blow.
Silence" whispered voice that Japhet
well knew. 1t was the voice of Timothy.
Horses are near by, for we stipulated to
leave the country the moment 1t was done.
Hurry"
Japhet lost no time. Little was said
while they tore through the night, till
they had reached post town and had
entered the inn. Then Timothy explained
his providential arrival on the scene.
He had gained the gipsy's entire con-
| fidence and HAD led him on a false trail
to boarding school where he had pre-
tended that Fleta was installed They
prepared to enter the house and kdnap
her. About the time their arrangements
were completed a message arrived from
Melchior bidding him postpone his at
tempt for the present and hasten to Mount
Castle, where important work was to be
done.
Timothy went with him, and luckily
managed to deceive Melchior, who offered
them 9200 for putting somebody out of
the way. Timothy had learned that
Japhet was in ireland. He Immediately
suspected who the intended victim was
and entered eagerly into the proposed
murder. The result was simple.
Japhet now felt sure that Melchior was.
indeed no other than Sir Henry de Glare.
estates The latter idea became a con-
viction with him when he reached Dublin
and discovered from Sir williams will
filed there that only small portion Of
the estate was entailed, while the rest
went not only to male heirs but also to
females.
He dispatched a letter to Sir Henry tell
ing him that he would prosecute him
for attempting his murder. Two DAYS
afterward the papers announced that Sir
Henry de Clare had committed suicide.
Following this came letter from Lady
de Clare to Japhet 1t said
"Fleta is the daughter of Sir William
de Clare. The girl found drowned was
merely dressed in her clothes. Dearly
has my husband paid for his act of folly
and wickedness. to which 1 was never a.
party"
The letter was signed "Nattee" and
Japhet learned that she had left tho
castle after the funeral and had been seen
later travelling south with a band of
gypsies.
Lord Windermear and Mr. Masterton
sought out Sir Williams widow, who was
Twins III hohuoi, anu JdpHeI restored her
daughter to her. She recognized the gold
and coral necklace at once as being the
one that little Cecilia had worn when
she disappeared There had been won Ter
at the time when the unacceptable body
was found because the necklace was not
on it.
Japhet, having thus made his beloved
little Fleta happy and found mother for
her, thought to return to fashionable So
ciety and pursue his own search for a
father. But the news of his true position
and, worse than all, of his lack of wealth,
had spread while he was in Ireland. He