Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-04-07
CHAPTER XVIII.


so, telling him to cease from talking
Jen recalled the hOusemaid, and LETT
the room to think over all he mad
learned. The story Of Jaggard con-
WINGED him more than ever that DIT
EtwaId was the cause of all the terrible
events which had occurred during the
last few weeks. without doubt it was
he who had treacherously hidden Dldo
in the chamber Of death. After drug
ging Jaggard, the negress no DOUBT
had opened the window to admit Ee-
valid, and between them this precious
pair had carried off the dead body.
Yes" said Jen to himself that night
as he retired to bed. To-day L nave
learned sufficient to implicate Etwald'
tomorrow / shall be able to convict
him. Dido must. confess or go to pris-
on
Angered by the selfish way in which
David had acted, Jen did not commun-
icate his discoveries to the young man.
During the night he took counsel with
himself, and the next morning he acted
upon the plans which he had formed.
These were to see Dido and force the
truth from her; to send Battersea to
Deanminster to fetch both Arkel and
DR. Etwald to "Ashantee;" and finally
to communicate his discoveries to the
Inspector and get him to arrest Et-
valid.
After breakfast the Major wrote two
notes-one for Arkel, asking him to be
at "Ashantee" by noon, as the writer
had important matters to discuss; the
other for Etwald requesting him to
call and see Jaggard, who, added Jen
significantly in the letter, had recover
ed his senses. Having thus prepared
his trap for the doctor to walk into,
Jen delivered the letters to Battersea,
with instructions to set off at once for
Deanminster. When the Major had
seen him safely out of the gates, he
took his way towards THE Wigwam"
for the all important interview with
Dido
on arriving at "The Wigwam," Jen
presented his card, and was shown in
to the drawing room, there to wait he
arrival of Mrs Dallas On hearing
that the Major had called to see her,
she sent Dido to inform him that she
would shortly accord him an inter
view The negress, as gloomy and sui
with folded arms and bent head. Then,
without even look at him, she turned
to leave the room, when Jen placed
himself between her and the door
Not yet, Dido" he said, in cold
voice 1T is true that l called to see
your mistress; but wish to speak to
you also"
What you wish, sah?''
the devil-stick."
"Massa, say all I know of de deb
stick"
Indeed, you did not, Dido. You did
not inform me that by DR.. Etwald's
directions YOU filed the devil-stick
with poison; or that you stepped the
handkerchief found in the room of Mr..
AyImer in the same poison for the pur-
pose Of drugging my servant; or again,
that you concealed yourself under the
bed, and afterwards drugged him"
A kind of terror showed itself in the
dilated eyes of the negress. She could
not understand how Jen had become
possessed of a knowledge of her crimes,
and at first was struck with stupor by
the recital Speedily, however, she re-
covered herself. and with a dark smile
of contempt and pity she was about to
deny all, when Jen brought out his
last accusation.
Nor" said he, fixing his eyes on the
woman, did you confess that you
opened the window of Mr.. Aylmer's
room, and aided DR.. Etwald to carry
away the dead body?"
de-dead-deadI" she STAN
mered. shrinking back
yes. the dead body of Mr.. Aylmer,
which you and DR.. Etwald took to his
house at Deanminster. No denial
woman" said Jen, raising his voice, as
she was about to speak. I see by
your face that you are guilty.
Dido trembled all over. whether from
rage or fear Jen could not determine,
and opened her mouth to give the lie
to her accuser. Then she shut it again,
as a heavy step was heard outside the
door. A moment later and Mrs Dallas
with a face expressive of establishment,
was standing on the threshold of the
room: and Dido at her feet was making
the room resound like jungle with
howlings like those of d wild beast.
All the savage nature of the woman
was now on the surface. and had bro
ken through the sullen restraint of her
impassive demeanor.
What Is the meaning of this?" de-
manded Mrs Dallas, with an uneasy
glance at the frantic negress.
I shall explain when Dido stops her
bowling" said Jen. quite undisturbed.
'Oh, missy. missy!" wept the ne
gress, getting on to her feet. 1T all
am a lie what dat massa say. Poo ole
Dido know nuffin'-do muffin"
Major Jen took Dido by the shoulder.
manded her to be silent. At once the
negress-who was evidently acting a
part-ceased her outcries. and after
casting her eyes significantly at her
mistress. stared sullenly at the floor.
Mrs. Dallas turned pale at this rapid
glance, and was obliged to take a seat
TO prevent herself from falling. Jen
recapitulated for the benefit of Mrs.
Dallas the points of his accusation
against the negress. Dido heard him
in silence, but this time she made nei-
Their outcry nor denial
Mrs. Dallas appeared to be Mortified
by the recital. Every now and then
she cast a look of terror at Dido, while
passing her handkerchief over her
white lips. When the Major conclud-
ed, she could only shake her head and
stammer a few words
1t cannot be true" she murmured.
1T is impossible"
1T is a fact" insisted Jen. 7 have
the evidence of Jaggard to prove that
Dido was in the room on that night
Dido cried Mrs. Dallas. in a trem-
bling voice, is this true?"
The negress raised her wild eyes
slowly to the face of her mistress
What she saw therein evidently deter
mined her reply Without a word she
bent her head.
"Ah." cried Jen, you admit your
guilt
No" said Dido. bluntly. L say dat
in de room, but no kill dat man.
But you filed the devil-stick with
fresh poison?"
No" said Dido again. 4 saw nc
debble-stick."
Woman" cried Jen, with energy
no one but you could manufacture the
3oh al