Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-03-24
CHAPTER XVI.

| ~ IL Iie IAUl Tic tOCIOA VI FAACAAA "
! have made so great a friend?"
Yes [ took a viper to my bosom,
and it stung me-" replied Jen, who, IN
| his excitement, was pacing backward
and forward with hasty steps. But
| shall be even with him. In some way
or another / believe that it is possible
to bring home to him this triple crime.
Etwald prophesied to my poor lad, IN
his charlatan way, that if he welded
Miss Dallas, or even announced his en-
| gagement with her, his fate would be
one of life in DEATH
! What did that mean?"
| Mean? Death without the addition
of life. That word was brought in sole
| Iy to render the prophecy-if it may
be called so-confusing. Etwald was
in love with Miss Dallas. He found in
| Maurice formidable rival He warn
ed him by his pretended prophecy that
| he should STAY him if he persisted in
standing in his path. Maurice an
nounced his enga cement upon the very
/ day when EtwaId went to pay his ad :
| dresses to the girl. From that moment
| he doomed Maurice to death. Yes, |
| truly believe that such was his design,
and that he offered to buy the devil
stick in order to carry out his criminal
intention"
Did he ask to buy the devil stick %
demanded Meg, in surprise.
! Twice; and both times l refused TO
part with it. Failing to get it honest
ly, he stole it, You heard what Bat
tersea confessed, that he had taken a
| M Ia -
devil-stick. Well, this doctor has some
mysterious influence over this negress
believe he melted her to steal the
devil-stick, and that by his directions
she filled it with fresh poison"
But could she prepare the special
kind of poison required?"
"Assuredly. She confessed as much,
Her grandmother came from Ashantee
where this devil-stick is used for the
purpose of destroying people. Dido in
herits d knowledge of the family Sc
crets, and knows how to make this poi
son. It cures nervous headaches-that
is, the perfume of it does-and Dido
made some with which she saturated a
handkerchief to bind round the head
of her young mistress"
How do you know that the poisons
ere the same?"
From the peculiar, sickly. heavy
odor," explained Jen, promptly; and
continued: We'll, you can see the rest
for yourself. Dido filled that devil
stick with the poison" he pointed &c
the article on the table, some of it re-
mains in the wand yet. Etwald used
the devil-stick to kill Maurice, and or
going back to tell Dido of his success
have no doubt he dropped it inside the
gates of Mrs. Dallas ground, where, as
you have heard, it was found by Bat
t6rsea. oh, it is as plain as day tc
mel" cried Jen, vehemently. ''EtwaId
killed Maurice, and stole the devil
stick to accomplish the murder"
You have certainly made out a
strong case against this man" SAID
Meg, after a pause, but it is all theory
Your proofs?"
Il shall find them. David will helr
me-"
Meg sighed, and, rising to her feet
she drew her cloak round her tall form
L shall help you also" she said sad
ly. THAT is, if you will accept of my
help"
"Assuredly. You loved Maurice
ITO my cost, Major; but he did MOI
love me. This girl-this Miss Dallas,
she added. in a faltering voice, ''sht
must be very lovely, for Mr.. Sarby
loves her also. A woman who has three
men at her feet must be wonderful"
She is certainly beautiful, but she is
not clever, and her weak nature is en-.
shaved by the gross superstitions o.
Dido"
Il should not think from your de-
scription that she was likely to attrac
Maurice said Meg, in a low voice
but undoubtedly he loved her dearly;
and /" She made a gesture of de.
spair and moved towards the. door. Or
the threshold she paused and held ou
her hand. "Good-by, Major; should
hear anything further 1 shall let you
know. But the tramp?"
L shall keep him here. If he were
guilty of the crime he would not stay
but as it is he viii remain under my
eye. 1 intend to question him further
about the connection between Dido ana
Etwald; l wonder what power this doc
tor holds over the negress ,"
You can learn that only from the
woman herself"
OR from Etwald," rejoined Jen. II
can only succeed in having him ar
rested, he may confess all"
Let us hope he will" replied Meg
and after shaking hands again with
Jen, she took her departure
While the Major was considerine
what step he should take. David. re-
turning from a long and solitary walk
entered the room. OF late the young
man had INDUCED in these lonely ex-
cursions, whence he always returned
more melancholy than ever. His fine
face was lean and worn, there were
dark circles under his eyes, and his
manner, formerly noted for its com
posture, was now nervous and hesitat-
ing. On approaching his guardian, he
saw the devil-stick on the table, ana
at once his pale face grew vet paler.
Where did you find it it," he asked
pointing trembling finger at the ter.
rible piece of evidence.
I did not find it at ALL" reioined the
Major, gloomily; Meg brought it Il
me. 1t was Battersea who found it. -FTe
offered it for sale to Meg, and she
brought it and the tramp to me-"
'Battersea!" said David, repeatine
the name in puzzled tone How die
he become possessed of it? Has he
anything to do with the crime?"
No. He found the devil-stick with.
in the grounds of Mrs. Dallas, near the
gate"
who lost it there?" said Sarby, alb
ruptiy.
'Ah!" replied Jen. in a meaning tone
Tell me that. and I'll have the assas.
sin of our dear Maurice within tht
walls OF Deanminster jail before tn,
year is twenty-four hours older 1t ::
my belief, David, that DR.. Etwald killed
Maurce!'
Impossible! For what reason?"