Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-24
CHAPTEP x

the country side when it became
known that Maurice Aylmer had been
murdered. There was hardly person
of consequence in the county who
could not claim at least a bowling &C
quaintance with him. Moreover, Mau-
rice was one of those men who are al
ways popular, and much sympathy
was manifested for his untimely death.
Also the mysterious way in which ne
had come to his end, the absence Of
any known motive, and the knowledge
that the deceased had no enemies-all
these things combined to raise public
curiosity to the highest pitch.
Crowds Of people came from all
parts Of the country to view the scene
of the crime, and, if possible, to gain
glimpse Of Jen and David, who as rel
atives Of the deceased were notorious
for the time being; but thanks to the
presence of the police and the vigt-
lance of Jaggard, the morbid crowd OF
Bightseers were unable to crafty their
curiosity The two men remained in
seclusion. and saw no one save DR.. Eft
valid A sympathetic message arrived
from Mrs. Dallas which, considering
the way she had behaved towards
gratuitous insult.
Cant she let the poor man rest IN
his grave?" said Jen, wrathfully. 1t
is all through her opposition to the
match that this has come about!
"Oh. you can't say that, Uncle Jen''
demonstrated David.
Yes. ! can sir. If Maurice had not
been prevented from seeing Isabella
there would have been no necessity
for him to call on Etwald; and if he
had not done that, he would not have
been on the high-road in the night to
meet with his death. Mrs. Dallas and
her Internal negress are at the bottom
of this whole accused business.
OF course this was mere raving on
the part of Jen, but the poor man was
beside himself with grief at the loss of
Maurice, and hardly knew what he
was saying. Being in this frame of
mind he was by no means pleased
when shortly after the delivery of Mrs.
Dallas message Dido made her APP
pearanCe with a request for person
al interview.
II shan't see that black WITCH" cried
the poor Major. "David-Etwald, send
her away"
Il wouldn't if l were you, Major!"
said Etwald, judciously; she might
be the bearer of valuable information
likely to lead to the detection of Ayl-
mer's assassin"
David left the room and remained
absent for some time. On his return
ne stated that Dido had come with a
message from Isabella, and that she
refused to deliver it to anyone save
the Major Seeing that the negress
was thus insistent, and wondering
what Miss Dallas might want with
him at so painful a time, Jen yielded,
and Dido was admitted into the Ii
brary. She looked taller, more mas
sive, and more sullen than ever, and
though she trembled at the sight of
DR. Etwald-who, by the way, kept his
dark eyes studiously fixed on her-she
was fairly composed when she ad-
dressed the Major.
My Ill missy want you, sar," said
Dido, going straight to the point. she
weep! She III! She make terrible
Robbery, dat poo girl Massa come an
see my lii missy dis day."
Il can't at present! The police are
in the house; there is a lot to be at
tended to. Tell your mistress, Dido,
that I'll see her tomorrow"
she wants you to- day!" insisted
Dido, obstinately.
Il have given you the message" said
Jen, sharply Tell her I'll see her to-
morrow And now, Dido, I want to
know what you have to do with this
crime?"
i, massa! ole Dido she do muffin.
Massa Maurice he die Voodoo! Oh
yes!"
by that devil-stick poison?"
Me don't know what debble-stick
is! I no touch him!"
1t was clearly impossible to learn
anything from so obstinate a creature
so Jen repeated that he would call up
on Isabella on the morrow, and dis
missed the negress. AS she left the
room DR. Etwald followed her, and or
his return mentioned casually that he
had been giving Dido some instruc-
tions as to what was to be done with
Isabella.
THE girl is nervously excited" he
explained; and now that she has sus-
tanned this shock OF Mr.. Aylmer's
death there is no knowing what com.
plications may ensue."
You are a prophet of evil. EtwaId!
First my poor Maurice. now Miss DaI-
ias!"
las TO that" replied Etwald, with
elaboration, 4 foreteu that Miss DaI-
las may get i'll from perfectly natura
signs She was in love with Aylmer;
she is of q highly excitabIe and ner-
vous character, so it is easy to know
that unless great care is exercised. hel
brain may be affected"
But with regard to Maurice?"
Quite a different thing. I read II
his hand that he would be subject tC
a state Of Life in Death"
Which, as we guessed, meant par
Rlysis or catelepsy," said David. But
as you see, poor Maurice is dead. You
prophesy was false"
1T would seem so. Mr.. Ayln1er is
dead as you say; so the term Life II
Death cannot be applied to his pres.
Snt state of non existence. But yoI
will admit that 1 foretold that eyi
would happen to him II he decided t
marry Miss Dallas. 1t has turned GU
as l thought"
True, doctor" remarked Jen, keep.
Ing his eyes fixed upon the swart fac,
Of the other. And is that all you hav,
to say?"
All? What else do you expect mt
70 say?" demanded EtwaId coldly.
Say who you think killed Maurice
Who stole the devil stick?"
Il can't answer" said the doctor
taking up his hat. A detective may b
able to assist you on these points. En-
gage one!"
No" said Jen, taking David by tn
arm. I'VE don't need aid from tn
law to learn who killed Maurice, an,
avenge his death. David and mysel
will find the guilty person."
Really. I hope you will succeed
But case like this requires a traine,
intelligence such as you may find in
detective. or course, you may com
mand my services Major, but In
afraid you will not succeed"