Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-06-09
CHAPTER XVIII.

Jen recalled the housemaid, and left
the room to think over all he had
learned. The story of Jaggard con-
WINGED him more than ever that DR..
Etwald 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 Dido
in the chamber of death. After drug
ging Jaggard, the negress no doubt
had opened the window to admit Et-
wald. 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 have
learned sufficient to implicate Etwald;
tomorrow l 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
LII ElMdIu 10 ASudHlS6, anu lAlleNAASi
to communicate his discoveries to the
Inspector and get him to arrest Et-
wald.
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, ne
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
xxuuId shortly accord him an inter-
view. The negress. as gloomy and sui
Ien as ever, delivered this message
with folded arms and bent head. Then,
without even a look at him, she turned
ITO leave the room, when Jen placed
Paimself between her and the door.
mot vet. Dido" he said, in cold
voice. 'It is true that l called to see
your mistress; but l wish to speak to
you also"
What you wish, sah?"
ITO ask you a few questions about
the devil-stick."
"Massa I say all l know OF de oep-
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.
Avlmer 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-dead!" she stam-
Ynered. 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. Il 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 astonishment, |
was standing on the threshold of the |
room: and Dido at her feet was making |
the room resound like a jungle with |
howlings like those Of a 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- |
Ynanded Mrs. Dallas, with an uneasy |
glance at the frantic negress.
I shall explain when Dido stops her |
howling," said Jen, quite undisturbed. |
"Oh, missy Missy" wept the ne
Eress. 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, |
and giving her a good shake, COM
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
a gainst the negress. Dido heard him /
in silence. but this time she made nei-
ther 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 Asr